Leon Henry Konkle
May 11, 1929 — February 19, 2014
Leon Henry Konkle, 84 of Lawrence, loving husband, father and grandfather, went to his rest Feb. 19, 2014.
Leon was born May 11, 1929, to Harold and Catherine (Henry) Konkle in Highland, Mich. After Harold's death in 1937, Leon was raised by his mother and Stepfather Marshall Weber in the west Bangor area. Leon attended the one room school West Brick School.
Leon was one of five children: Barbara Tymke-Weber, Marylin Konkle, Carolyn (John) Stuckum, John (Julie) Weber. Leon served in the United States Army 2nd Armored Division stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning from military service, he married Florence Stuckum of Covert, Mich., on March 31, 1951. The family resided in the Covert area before relocating to Lawrence, where they built their family home. Leon and Florence's union produced five children: Gary (Martha Deyoung), Gail (John Kener), Gordon (Collette McCaw), Gina (Ronald Corkle) and Gregory (Kim Ottens). Sadly son, Gary and daughter, Gail preceded Leon in death.
Leon is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Leon was a self employed logging and excavating contractor throughout the Southwest Michigan area. He worked on the construction of Highway M-140 from Watervliet to Covert in 1957 and donated his time and equipment to the building of the Van Buren County Fairgrounds. Leon was also an owner-operator for Graff Trucking of Kalamazoo from which he retired as a lifetime member of the Teamsters Union. After retiring, Leon and Florence traveled extensively throughout the USA, visiting friends and relatives from Alaska to Arizona. For several years Leon grew and sold pumpkins on his Lawrence farm. He continued clearing land and cutting and selling firewood. He split and hauled wood until two weeks prior to his passing. Leon enjoyed working in his shop restoring antique farm tractors. He passed peacefully at home with family after a short unexpected illness.
A Celebration of Leon's Life will be held at the Covert Lions Community Center, 78085 County Road 378 W., Covert, from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 2nd. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.
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