Darla D. Neal, 83, died September 8, 2025, at Hester Care Center, Hutchinson. She was born January 22, 1942, in Newton, to Luther D. and Gladys M. (Hatch) McJilton.
Darla graduated from Newton High School in 1959, and the University of Kansas in 1963, with her Bachelor of Science degree. Darla was an outstanding debater in high school and college (this won’t surprise anyone who knew her). As a senior in high school, she and her partner took runner-up at state after beating her future husband, John, in the semi-finals. Darla was offered a scholarship to debate at KU. She was named KU’s Outstanding Debater her freshman year. While at KU, Darla was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta where she met many of her lifelong friends. She also participated in Rock Chalk Revue.
It was also at KU where she met the first love of her life, John Neal. Darla & John knew each other from debate & forensics competitions in high school. Her sophomore year she agreed to go on a “blind date” only after learning that it was with John. Darla and John got engaged on Christmas Eve their senior year in college and were married on July 20, 1963 in Newton. Shortly after their wedding, Darla & John moved to Madrid, Spain for a year while John was studying abroad on the Fulbright Scholarship. While in Madrid, Darla taught English at the American School and Berlitz Language School. Upon arriving back in the United States, Darla taught middle school and high school English & Social Studies before they had children.
In 1969, Darla and John moved to Hutchinson, KS, where she lived the rest of her life. Darla was a major advocate for Hutchinson, Hutchinson schools, and numerous community projects and organizations. She served as President of Reno County’s American Cancer Society, President of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, President of Hutchinson Community Foundation, President of the Hutchinson PTA, President of Wesley Towers Board of Directors, and served 12 years on the USD 308 Board of Education with two stints as president. She participated in Leadership Kansas, Leadership Hutchinson, & received the Altrusa Community Leadership Award in 2007. She was a member of P. E. O. Chapter BY and Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson. She also started three successful businesses in three totally non-related industries!
Darla was a teacher, entrepreneur, consultant, artist, and business owner, but her proudest title was “mom”. After Darla & John’s first son, Michael, was born in 1968, every day her number one focus was her children. Never was this more apparent than after Michael was diagnosed with leukemia and during his subsequent treatment. Although Michael passed away in 1972, Darla was impacted by the experience after seeing the “good” in so many people who wanted to help and support Michael & their family. Darla carried that emphasis and focus with her the rest of her life. The only title that was in contention with “mom” for her favorite was “Nana”. She was an incredible force, constant champion, and #1 fan for each and every one of her children & grandchildren. It was never about her and always about making the world better for others. Darla’s goal was to make an impact, be an advocate, and leave her mark on Hutchinson, Reno County, and the lives of her family & everyone she met.
John died September 4, 2005, after they shared 42 years of marriage. On a riverboat trip to Ukraine in 2007, Darla was fortunate enough to meet the second love of her life, Stanley Wingate. Darla & Stan were married on April 19, 2008, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson. Both had endured the heartbreak of losing their first spouses to cancer and felt incredibly blessed to find a second love who they could share their lives with. Even after being separated when Darla was moved into Memory Care at Wesley Towers, Stan would walk over to her room everyday so they could spend the day together. Darla & Stan enjoyed 17 years of marriage.
Darla is survived by: husband, Stanley Wingate of Hutchinson; sons, David Neal (Karin) of Hutchinson and Matthew Neal of Rose Hill; grandchildren, Jack Neal, Katherine Neal, Benjamin Neal, and Andrew G. Neal, Jaden Neal, Andrew L. Neal, and Elizabeth Neal; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, John Neal; son Michael John Neal; and sisters, Kay Lachenmayr, Loretta Bowersock, Shirley Gates, and Barbara Fabic.
Celebration of Life service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 15, 2025, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1602 N. Main, Hutchinson. Private graveside service at Memorial Park will take place. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to support pediatric oncology at KU School of Medicine-Wichita. Checks can be made out to KU Endowment (memo Darla Neal memorial) and mailed to KU Endowment, 1010 North Kansas St., Wichita, KS 67214. Online contributions may be made at www.kuendowment.org/give. Under the choose area section select “other” and in the box under Other Purpose write in “Darla Neal memorial”. Or, can be mailed to Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.