Neal E. Wilkerson, 87, of Parsons passed away at 11:49 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at Parsons Presbyterian Manor.
He was born on Nov. 12, 1937, to Victor Warren and Ladine Margarette (Sharp) Wilkerson in Parsons. He grew up and attended school in Parsons, graduating from Parsons High School in 1955. Neal continued his education at Parsons Junior College, now Labette Community College, earning an associate’s degree in 1957.
After serving in the United States Army, Neal returned to Parsons. He was a circulation manager for the Parsons Sun, worked at Stevie Togs and Princess Homes. From 1963 to 1968, Neal was a firefighter for the Parsons Fire Department. In 1968, Neal started working at the Parsons Police Department, where he served the Parsons community for 29 years, nine years as police chief, retiring in 1992. Throughout those years, he earned an associate’s degree from Neosho County Junior College in 1972, a bachelor’s degree in 1976 and a master’s degree in 1986 from Pittsburg State University. After his time with the police department, he worked at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center until retiring in 2005.
He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons. Neal served on the original board of the Labette Correctional Conservation Camp.
On Sept. 27, 1969, Neal married Patricia Ann Johnston at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Parsons. They were happily married for 55 years. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include six nephews, Wes Garber (Penny) of Grove, Oklahoma, Mark Schultz (Brenda) of Altamont, Mark Johnston (Janet) of Oswego, David Johnston (Lisa) of Parsons, Brian Johnston (Brenda) of Parsons and Kelly Johnston (Kim) of Parsons; nine nieces, Karen Cripe (Randy) of Parsons, Jane Alexander (Don) of Parsons, Dianna Alvidres (Hector) of McKinney, Texas, Julie Holt (Cliff ) of Shawnee, Becky Cole (Kevin) of Parsons, Amy Woodward (Landon) of Cherryvale, Brenda Henderson (Scott) of Cherokee, Marisa Steiner (Mike) of Winfield and Cindy Mahanay (Bill) of Salina; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; a sister-in-law, Janice Wilkerson of Parsons; a brother-in-law, Aubrey Schultz of Parsons; and a dear friend and caregiver, Ingrid Schell of Parsons.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Victor Ronald Wilkerson and Bobby Wilkerson; and two sisters, Nancy Sue Garber and Chloe Ann Schultz The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Parsons. The rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends following the rosary.
The family suggests memorials to St. Patrick Catholic Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online condolences at www.forbeshoffman.com.
