William Glenn Conklin

William Glenn Conklin, 84 of Lawrence, passed away Thursday, July 14, 2016 at home, surrounded by his family.

"Mouse", as he was known by most, was born Sept. 26, 1931, in Keeler, the son of Basil and Beulah (Henry) Conklin, both of whom precede him in passing. He was also preceded in passing by two brothers: M.J. and Richard Gale Conklin, and a sister, Halo Mann.

Bill was a 1950 graduate of Lawrence High School. He served his country proudly in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He returned to Lawrence and married Fern Crippen on Jan. 3, 1960. He went to work and retired from the Van Buren County Road Commission on Sept. 24, 1993 after thirty two years and nine months of faithful employment. He was a member of the Lawrence American Legion Post 174, where he worked alongside Chuck Moden on legion breakfasts and dinners. He was a member of the Lawrence Lions Club for thirty eight years and received numerous awards with the highest being the Melvin Jones Fellow Award of which he was most proud of. He and Bill Beeching were the originators of the Lawrence Elementary Basketball program, was a member of the Lawrence chain gang for their football games and received a Certificate of Appreciation for being a contributor to school athletics from 1966 to 1991. He enjoyed bowling with family and friends for over sixty years and loved doing woodwork i.e., doll houses, toy boxes and making the family tree of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bill was an avid fisherman and hunter and looked forward to the time spent up north with his good friends: Bill, Dick, Charlie, M.J., Wilbur, Don and Red. Perhaps the most fulfilling time was the thirty plus years that Bill spent not only coaching Little League, Summer Baseball and High School Baseball, but developing these young boys not only as baseball players, but as young men.

Bill is survived by his wife, Fern; children: Terrie Oliver, Kyle Conklin, Scott (Karen Griffin) Conklin and Rod (Darlene) Conklin; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren, and siblings: Ilah (Nick) Pollich, Vonnie (Bob) Bellis, Shirley Van Galder, Chuck (Niki) Conklin, Sharon Vitek, Harold (Sue) Conklin and Phyllis Conklin.

The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, at the Lawrence United Methodist Church, where a celebration of life memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 21. Pastor Jim Robertson will officiate. Bill's ashes will be placed in Hill Cemetery's Veterans Section. In lieu of flowers, please make your donation to any of these organizations: Hess Eastman Post 174, Lawrence Athletic Boosters or Lawrence Lions Club. To view Bill's full obituary or leave an on-line condolence, visit our web site at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.