Rev. Jack A. Wilkinson

Rev. Jack A. Wilkinson, 58, longtime funeral director of Chetopa, passed away unexpectedly at 11:03 a.m., Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. He was born February 22, 1957 in Haysville, Kansas to Jack D. and Betty (Fox) Wilkinson. Jack grew up in Chetopa where he attended school. He later attended Labette County High School in Altamont and was a 1975 graduate of Chetopa High School. He then attended Ozark Bible Institute in Neosho, Missouri. In 1981, he began working as a Funeral Director at the Bath Funeral Home in Chetopa, now the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home. He, Herb Bath and Debbie Crumrine re-instituted the Chetopa First Responders as EMT's with the support of the Chetopa Fire Department in 1986. Jack had dedicated his life for the past 34 years to serving families of the community. Jack founded and named the Community Bible Church in Chetopa, KS in 1994 where he was later ordained. He was a faithful member of the church where he served as associate pastor, musician, board member, Sunday School teacher, and was actively involved in Children's Church and Royal Rangers. He enjoyed picking, collecting antiques, and spending time with family and friends, especially his best friend and wife, Patty. He and Patty Nash were married September 7, 2009 in Chetopa. She survives of the home. Jack will be lovingly remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, co-worker and friend to all. In addition to his wife, survivors include: One Son – Luke Wilkinson and his wife, Amy Chetopa, KS One Daughter – Dawn "Pete" Mayfield Chetopa, KS Two Grandchildren – Darci Wilkinson and Damon Wilkinson His Mother – Betty Wilkinson Chetopa, KS Two Sisters – Toni Overman and her husband, Bob Chetopa, KS Greta Hill Dallas, TX Mother-in-law – Wilma Nash Columbus, KS Numerous Nieces and Nephews A Host of Friends He was preceded in death by his father, Jack D. Wilkinson, on January 29, 2014; one sister, Kay Dee Wilkinson; and his father-in-law, Donald D. Nash. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at the Chetopa High School gymnasium. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa following the service. Friends may call at their convenience at the Community Bible Church in Chetopa beginning on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. The family will receive friends from 7-9:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the Community Bible Church. Memorials are suggested to the Children's Church Ministry at the Community Bible Church. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rev. Jack A. Wilkinson, please visit our flower store.