Wayne Conklin

Mr. Wayne Conklin, 88, of Salamanca, NY, died Saturday evening, March 30, 2024 at the Salamanca Nursing & Rehabilitation Center following a short illness.

Born August 24, 1935 in Tidioute, PA, he was the son of the late Glenn and Grace Bowles Conklin. He was married March 22, 1958 in Clymer, NY to the former Kathryn DeWitt, who survives.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving from 1955 – 1957, stationed at Norfolk, VA.

Mr. Conklin had been employed as a logger his entire adult life, first for Conklin Brothers and then Wayne Conklin Trucking. After retiring from trucking, he worked for Besse Forest Products until 2008.

He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535, and the Senior Bowling Association. He bowled in the Men’s League, Mixed Bowling League, and the Senior Bowling League. Mr. Conklin enjoyed trap shooting and spending time with his family.

Surviving are: two daughters, Debra (Larry Zimbardi) Roberts, Kill Buck, NY, Christine (Anthony) Ellis, Salamanca, NY; a son, Wayne (Jackie Opferbeck) Conklin Jr., Kill Buck, NY; eight grandchildren, Jonathan Conklin, Dennis Conklin, Heather Roberts, Zack Roberts, Brittney DeGroat, Trevor Ellis, Trente Ellis; eight great-grandchildren, Kali Conklin, Lita Conklin, Gracie Conklin, Chloe Conklin, Leo Conklin, Czedrick Uriel Neri, Czian Uriel Neri, Isla Conklin; two sisters, Donna Juhola, Littleton, CO, Joyce Beales, Port Richie, FL; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by four sisters, Dolores Lindsey, Mildred Conklin, Lucy Kennedy, Marie Selig, and five brothers, Marshall Conklin, Roy Conklin, Glenn Conklin Jr., Clair Conklin, and Norman Conklin.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Friday, April 5, 2024 from 4 – 6pm, at which time funeral services will be held with Rev. Michael Lonto, officiating.

Full military honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.