Obituary of John R. Conkle

Smethport - John R. Conkle, 85, loving Father and Grandfather of Farmers Valley, PA passed away suddenly on Monday May 9, 2011. Born June 7th, 1925 in Olean, NY, he was the son of John M. and Katherine Levandoski Conkle. On May 7th, 1951, he married Margaret A. Kosinski, who preceded him in death on July 1, 1994. He was a 1942 graduate of Smethport High School and attended St. Bonaventure College. John served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during WWII. He worked at the Quaker State oil refinery for 18 years and retired as Smethport's Post Master after 27 years of service. John was an active member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church in Smethport, having served on numerous committees as well as a long term lector, choir member, and Eucharistic minister. He was a Third Degree and former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. John was a member of the Smethport Country Club where he celebrated one of his two "holes-in-one". He was very active throughout the Smethport community where he held various leadership positions in numerous service organizations. He was an avid sportsman and sports fan, competing in the old McKean-Elk baseball league as well as being one of the area's top bowlers in Western NY and PA. He enjoyed traveling across the U.S. to be with his large family for all the events in their lives. He annually attended the Master's Golf Tournament. He will be lovingly missed by his two sons John (Stacie) Conkle of Tacoma, WA and Steven (Shari) Conkle of Bellaire, MI; his three daughters Suzanne (Joseph) Eiseman of North Augusta, SC, Carol (Sam) Yoder of Clarence Center, NY, and Joan (Brian) Colton of Conover, NC. Granddaughters Jenni (Joshua) Ko Copland, Laura (Vann) Eiseman Holden, Libby Conkle, Emily Ko, Katie Conkle, Sarah Conkle, and Catherine Eiseman. Grandsons Kevin (Ashley) Eiseman, Joe Conkle, Thomas Colton, and John Colton. He is also survived by a brother in law, Andrew Kosinski, 4 nieces, 2 nephews, a number of cousins, loving friends, and his special friend and golfing partner, Marilyn Hansen. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Rita Clark of Smethport. Visitation will be held on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., 2 Bank St., Smethport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10 am on Saturday in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, Smethport, with the Rev. Vincent P. Cieslewicz, pastor as Celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, NY. The Rosary will be said at 7:30 pm Friday in the funeral home. Military Honors will be accorded by the American Legion; Bucktail Post #138, Smethport. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Elizabeth Church, the American Heart Association, or a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be left at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.