Paul S. Gustafson Sr.

A light has gone out of our lives because the world has lost a beautiful soul, Paul Stephen Gustafson, Sr. on Saturday, October 29, 2022. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side; it was time and God called him home.  Paul was born in Georgetown, DE to the late, Fred and Anna Gustafson, Sr.

As a young man while attending school, Paul worked as a farmhand, helping neighbors on their farms and at a garage in Dover. He then drove a truck for Coca-Cola and went on to work for Carl King, Inc. delivering oil in Dover and the surrounding areas for many years. Being on a truck, was always his dream in life. Loving to be outdoors, Paul raised chickens for Con-Agra and Perdue Family Farms. He was also a substitute bus driver for bus #23 in the Lake Forest School District.

Paul married the love of his life, Thelma “Sugar Pie” Gustafson, on November 4, 1960. During their 61 years of marriage, their greatest joy was their family and each other. He loved traveling with family, especially to Branson, Missouri.

He was loved dearly by his family, friends, and neighbors in the community. He enjoyed watching and supporting his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all of their activities. He was active in his church in Burrsville, MD, serving on many committees. He was also a longtime member of the Burrsville Ruritan Club, having over 45 years of perfect attendance. Paul was well known for doing things in a slow way, but he ALWAYS got them done.

In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by a grandson, Brett Gustafson; father and mother-in-law, Robert T. and Elizabeth Collins; brothers, Fred Gustafson, Jr. and Robert Gustafson; sisters, Nathalie Tatman and Jeannette Welch; and brothers-in-law, Robert L. Collins and Frank Collins.

Paul leaves several people in this world who loved him very much and who will continue to do so. In addition to his loving wife, Thelma, he is survived by his son, Steve Gustafson (Tina); granddaughters Christy Brown (Ben) and Samantha Gustafson Sharp (Wesley); grandsons Chayton Miller and Kyle Boyce; sister Faith Short; brothers-in-law Kenneth “Snookie” Collins (Delores), George Collins (Brenda), Richard “Dickie” Collins (Ellen), and Bruce Collins (Barbara); and sisters-in-law Dorothy Collins and Linda Collins Maxwell. He also is survived by several great-grandchildren, Ty Gustafson, Luke Gustafson, Bailee Brown, Bryce Brown, Charlie Sharp, Carolyn Sharp, Hannah Boyce and Jonah Boyce as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 11am, at the Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 S. DuPont Hwy. Harrington, DE, interment will follow at the Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington.  A visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 PM at the funeral home.

At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Union United Methodist Church, c/o Ginger Hendricks, 2378 Ingram Branch Road, Harrington, DE 19952 or to the Burrsville Ruritan Club, c/o Wayne Spicher, 10913 Knife Box Road, Denton, MD 21629.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, please visit us at www.melvinfuneralhome.com to express or send condolences.