James Oliver Conklin

James Oliver Conklin, 80, of Washington, died at 4:35 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2007, in Washington County Health Center, following a lingering illness. He was born December 29, 1926, in Washington, a son of James Forest Conklin and Etta L. Double Conklin Plymire. Mr. Conklin graduated from Washington High School in January 1945. He was inducted into the Army on May 29, 1945, and served until he was honorably discharged on October 30, 1946. For his service, Mr. Conklin was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. He worked as a machinist at Star Mould for 40 years and then at Smith Machine for five years. Mr. Conklin was a member of Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church for 57 years. He was a member of Sunset Lodge 623 F & AM, Knights Templar, and Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion, delivered Meals on Wheels and was involved with Washington Senior Citizens Singers and Dancers. On August 30, 1951, he married Peggy Ann Ross, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, James Oliver (Marge) Conklin, II, of Dayton, Ohio, and Scott (Bernadette) Conklin of Butler; one daughter, Dr. Colleen (Dr. Kevin) Wells of Kathleen, Georgia; twelve grandchildren, James O. Conklin, Iii, Jennifer Conklin, Nicole Conklin, Adam Culpepper, Erin Culpepper, Owen Culpepper, Cyle Wells, Casie Wells, Seth Conklin, Zachary Conklin, James Conklin and Joseph Conklin; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews. Deceased are a brother, Charles Conklin; and a sister, Helen Jane Hayes. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Additional visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the hour of service, Thursday, July 5, 2007, with Rev. John Hoffman officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. Memorial contributions may be made to Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church, 160 Jefferson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.