Neal Scott Panning, 40, passed away July 3, 2023, at his home, rural Great Bend.  He was born Oct. 31, 1982, in Great Bend, to Marvin and Debra (Schartz) Panning.

A previous Ellinwood resident currently residing in rural Great Bend, Neal was a graduate of Ellinwood High School.  He furthered his education at Wichita State University, majoring in piano.  As a talented musician, Neal was a winner of the Parnassus contest one of the years he competed in annually during high school and later participated in the Wichita State University honor choir. Neal was also known to be a skilled cook, being able to make "something" out of "anything". He was an area restaurant employee for many years, currently working as a waiter at Los Cabos Fajita House, Great Bend.  Neal's true loves were playing the piano and organ, his dog, Indie, gardening, and time spent with friends.

Neal is survived by his parents, Marvin and Debra Panning and a brother, Ross, all of rural Great Bend.  Other survivors include his aunts and uncles; Doug and Joan Panning and family, Diane (Schartz) and Dennis Jackson and family, Brian and Sharon Schartz and family, Gary and Kim Schartz and family, and Brenda (Schartz) and Jim Tucker and family.  He was preceded in passing by his grandparents, Raymond "Jr." and Pat Schartz and Forrest and Alice Panning.

There are no services planned at this time.