Leroy Conklin

We all remember Grandpa how he would come to our games and no matter how good or how bad we were he would always compliment us. We would also call him Grandpa Smacker-oo because he would always give us high fives. He wouldalways come to breakfast with us at his favorite reastraunt jet-runway-café. He would come over to our house whenever we had parties just to hang out and he was always fun to be around. We also remember how he would always drop by and bring us donuts.

We will never forget you.

Love your great grand children,

Austin, Bryce, and Colton Veith

I was so blessed to have such a wonderful grandfather. I loved hearing your stories, and sitting and having a good cup of snoffie with you. I love how you showed people my picture and told them I was your girlfriend. You were always making funny jokes and made friends wherever you would go. My children were very blessed to get to know you and have you cheer them on attheir games. They will always remember you as their great grandpa smack-a roo. We will never forget you and miss you greatly, but we will always look back and smile at all the wonderful memories we made with you. We love you grampapa!

Love your granddaughter,

Holly

Lee Conklin was born to James & Margaret Elizabeth Conklin on December 15th, 1916 in New Berlin, Illinois. He was the 4th child in a family of 8 children. He grew up on a farm in Southern Illinois.

When he was 21 years old he left his hometown of Carlinville, Illinois & moved to Highland Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, where he got a job at a restaurant named “Parkside”. That is where he met Margaret Wood, who became his wife of 71 years.

When WWII broke out, he left Margaret & their infant daughter to go serve in the Army. When the war ended, he returned to their home in Des Plaines, Illinois & started working at International Harvester, where he continued to work for over 31 years.

He and Margaret had 5 children, 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

After being “snowbirds” for over 30 years, they finally moved to Florida in December 1999, where 3 of their 5 children lived. Lee had a very long, healthy and happy life, and he will be missed.