Michael Conklin

CONKLIN, HARTZLER, KROHN

Posted By: Harvey Henry (email)
Date: 5/5/2009 at 21:26:31

May 5, 2009

Michael Conklin, 65

Michael Charles "Mike" Conklin died of a heart attack August 31, 2008 in New York City, while on a business trip. Our beloved Mike did not suffer. Mike was born May 5, 1943 in Iowa City, Iowa to Raymond and Genevieve (Hartzler) Conklin. Mike attended grade school and high school in Iowa City. He served in the U.S. Army from 1965-1968 at Fort Benning, Georgia. On March 17, 1965 he married Karen Krohn at the Coraville United Methodist Church. Mike began working in 1955, when he was 12 years old and continued to work until his death in 2008. He started out selling souvenirs at the Iowa football games and after 2 years he began working for the Varsity Theatre in Iowa City until he moved on to the grocery business. After his marriage to Karen and his 3 years in the army, the couple moved to Estes Park, Colorado where they owned and operated a pizza busines and managed the bar and dining room in the Estes Park Chalet. In 1977 they moved back to Iowa City and Mike managed the American Legion Club. After a few years and a move back to Colorado for a few years the couple moved to Bayonne, New Jersey. Mike managed Houlihans restaurant in New York City, but he found his "niche" when he took a job with the National Park Service as concession and events manager for Ellis Island where he worked for 19 years until his retirement in 2006. After his retirement he continued to work as an independent contractor/consultant for Ellis Island, where his co-workers have honored him with his name inscribed on the wall of honor at Ellis Island. Mike adored and lived for his wife Karen. When she was diagonosed with cancer in 2001 he took care of her day and night. Karen preceded him in death in 2002. They were married for 37 years. Mike spent his last years working and spending time with his and Karen's beloved grandson, Tommy. Riding bikes, playing and going to Wal-Mart. No farewell words were spoken, no time to say good bye. You were gone before we knew it and only God knows why. Mike will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He leaves behind a daughter Michelle, grandson Tommy, sister Sharon, nephew Scott and Uncle Martin. Services are pending.