Deborah (Deb) Ann Morey Conklin, 78, of Ft. Wayne, IN passed away peacefully on Monday, October 5, 2026, at Heritage Park. Deb was born in Dayton, OH on Aug. 8, 1948, the daughter of John Morey and Marlene Carns-Morey Hancock. After earning a B.S. in Home Economics Education from Ohio University, as well as a Master Degree in Education from Indiana University, and a PhD (ABD) in Higher Education Curriculum Design from Purdue University, Deb went on to spend nearly 30 years working for IPFW in various capacities, ultimately retiring as the Executive Director of Continuing Studies. In 1969, she married Dick Conklin and they shared 57 wonderful years together living in various communities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Iowa, before moving to Ft. Wayne in 1984. Deb enjoyed numerous roles supporting her memberships at Plymouth Church, Rotary, and PEO. Ultimately, she was most dedicated to raising her girls, encouraging and visiting them during their many travels, studies abroad opportunities, and life adventures, and supporting and loving on her seven grandchildren.
Deb is survived by her husband, Dick; her three daughters, Amy (Eric) Thompson, Betsy Conklin (Paul Kilian), and Jill (Joey) Leal; two brothers, David and John Morey; and seven grandchildren, Emma, Mia, and Aidan Thompson, Ethan, Lucia, and Collin Leal, and Briggs Kilian-Conklin.
A memorial service will be held at Plymouth Congregational Church [UCC] 501 W. Berry St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46802 on Sat., Oct. 10 at 11am, preceded by calling hours at 10am and followed by a reception at 12pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Deborah M. Conklin Endowed Scholarship: https://giving.purdue.edu/fort-wayne/ or through the Office of Development, Purdue Fort Wayne, 2101 East Coliseum Boulevard, Fort Wayne, IN 46805.
