Parker-Price & Davidson Logo

Our History

Parker-Price & Davidson have been serving North Topeka-area families with distinction for over a century. Parker-Price traces its roots back to 1897 as the Willitts & Conwell funeral home on North Kansas Avenue. In 1929, the funeral home moved to North Jackson, and was purchased by Gene Parker in 1938 and re-named Parker Mortuary. In 1977, it was re-named Parker-Price and moved to the current location on Independence Avenue. The funeral home was purchased by Ren and Theresa Newcomer in 1978. 


Davidson Funeral Home began in 1919 as Peebler Funeral Home, located at North Kansas Avenue and Fairchild Street. In 1936, Clayton Eslinger purchased the funeral home, and the name was changed to Eslinger Funeral Home. In 1954, Marvin Davidson and Frank Duff purchased it, and changed the name to Davidson-Eslinger-Duff Funeral Home. The Eslinger name was dropped in 1970, and Marvin and Doris Davidson dropped the Duff name in 1982.

  • A large brick building with a black roof

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    Parker-Price & Davidson Funeral Home, 245 Independence Avenue, Topeka, KS 66608

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  • A black and white photo of a horse drawn carriage

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    A horse-drawn hearse from Topeka's early days.

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  • A man in a suit and tie is holding a picture in his hands.

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    Gene Parker purchased the Willitts & Conwell funeral home in 1938. He is shown holding a photograph of Frank Conwell, who opened the funeral home in the 1890's.

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  • A black and white photo of a car parked in front of a house

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    Davidson-Eslinger-Duff Funeral Home pictured in 1959

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    Davidson-Eslinger-Duff Funeral Home pictured in the late 1960's

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  • An artist 's impression of the park - price reception center

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    The Parker-Price Reception Center was opened in 2010 in a building that formerly housed a photography studio.

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  • A group of people are sitting at tables in a room eating food.

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    Our Reception Center includes a full kitchen, serving bar and seating area for guests.

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  • A group of people are sitting at picnic tables on a porch.

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    Both indoor and outdoor seating is available at the Reception Center

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  • A group of people are sitting on a couch looking at a book.

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    Please contact our staff about booking the Reception Center for your event.

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The Davidsons operated the funeral home together until Marvin's death in 1993. Doris Davidson sold the funeral home to the Popkess family in August of 1997, and in 2021, Ed Popkess partnered with the Newcomer family to carry forward the tradition of excellence in funeral service to Topeka families. 


The two funeral homes merged in 2024 and began serving families out of the Parker-Price & Davidson Funeral Home and Reception Center, continuing the tradition of excellence that has earned the trust of generations of North Topeka families. 


 We believe you deserve personal service, merchandise of the highest quality, and a price that is fair to you. You have our word that we will continue to work faithfully to uphold the heritage that has served North Topeka and Shawnee County families so well for generations.

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