Neal McCandlis

Neal McCandlis, 81, of Viola, Arkansas passed from this life on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Mountain Home, Arkansas. Neal was born October 29, 1943, to Floyd and Edna (Marchant) McCandlis in Viola, Arkansas. 

Neal was born and raised in Viola, Arkansas. After graduating high school, he went to Kansas City to work in construction. It was during this time that he married his wife, Wilma, in 1964. He was drafted into the military in 1966. After two years of service, they moved back to Viola with their oldest son, Kevin, who was born while Neal was stationed in Washington. They welcomed their second son, Andy, in 1970. Upon returning to Viola, Neal worked for the Arkansas State Highway Department for 28 years and retired as the area foreman. He was a volunteer at the Viola Fire Department and was a member of Viola First Baptist Church, where he was a Sunday school secretary for many years.

Neal loved all things outdoors. He grew up on a grade A dairy farm, and in his adult life, he loved working on the farm, hunting, taking his family fishing and sucker grabbing, and coaching his son’s sports teams. In his retirement, he was a caregiver for his mom and his aunt Ruth and then spent a lot of his time at Fun Days, Hilltop Garage, and chasing his grandkids around to watch all their sporting games. He loved his family immensely and there wasn’t anything he loved more than sitting on the front porch hearing about all their tales.

Neal leaves to mourn his passing wife, Wilma McCandlis of Viola, Arkansas; two sons, Kevin McCandlis and wife Ilene of Viola, Arkansas and Andy McCandlis and wife Melissa of Viola, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Trevor Himschoot (Josie), Samantha Pike, Samantha McCandlis, and Andrea Jean (A.J.) McCandlis; one great grandchild, Marshall Pike; sister, Helen Peel of Mountain Home, Arkansas; many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents (Floyd and Edna McCandlis), sister (Betty Orr), and brothers-in-law (Calvin Orr and Darrell Peel).

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas with Bro. Robert Lash and Bro. Craig Golden officiating. Visitation will be 10:00 A.M. until time of service on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Barker Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Viola Cemetery in Viola, Arkansas. Pallbearers are Marshall Pike, Lee Rogers, Trevor Himschoot, Greg Williams, Doug Stone, and Randy Moore. Honorary pallbearers are Charles Neal, Coy Stone, Ron Cates, Dennis Roper, Garry Williams, Mike Roach, James Campbell, Samantha Pike, Samantha McCandlis, and Andrea Jean (A.J.) McCandlis. Memorials may be made to the Viola Cemetery Fund in Viola, Arkansas.  Arrangements are under the direction of Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas.