Ralph Conklin Obituary

Ralph O. Conklin, 100, peacefully went to be with his Lord on Friday, September 5, 2025. He was born on March 18, 1925, on the family farm on Hopewell Ridge, Center Township a son of the late Floyd R. Conklin and Frances Breese Conklin. Ralph graduated from Center Township High School and entered the Navy on Nov. 10, 1944 during WWII. He served in the South Pacific aboard the Destroyer Escort USS Kenneth Willett. Ralph was a proud veteran and a member of the "Greatest Generation." He married Jeannette Cunningham on October 12, 1947, at the Throckmorton Methodist Church in East View. They built their home in New Freeport, where they raised their three boys. Ralph was a school bus contractor with the West Greene School District for years and later purchased Greenridge Oil Company where he remained active as the President until he passed. He was a faithful member of the Hundred Church of Christ and attended the Tequesta Church of Christ while wintering in Jupiter, Florida. Ralph enjoyed hunting, deep sea fishing, golfing, Steelers football and watching high school wrestling, and most of all his family and friends. Surviving are three sons: Randall Conklin (Christa) of Waynesburg; Douglas Conklin (Joyce) of Sycamore; and Kevin C. Conklin (Leah) of Waynesburg, four grandchildren: Eric Conklin (Ryoko) of New York; Caitlin Conklin of Waynesburg; Brody Conklin (Mattie) of Washington; and Tucker Conklin (Drew) of Johnstown; six great-grandchildren: Arthur and Riley Conklin of New York; Callie and Carly Conklin of Washington; Cooper and Jack Conklin of Johnstown; former daughter- in-law Lisa Conklin, nieces and nephews; Connie and Barry Robb, and his "Breese cousins." Ralph was predeceased by his parents; his loving wife of 74 years, Jeannette; brothers Earl Conklin and Kenneth Conklin; brother-in-law William O. Cunningham; sisters-in-law Maggie Belle Conklin and Thelma Conklin; and his Conklin nieces Sally, Saunnie, and Lindy and nephew David Conklin. The family would like to acknowledge Amedisys Hospice for their special loving care given to Dad, and mere words cannot express what it meant to have the Special Angel-nurse, we call Rebecca in all our lives during Dad's last year. Rebecca Phillips has touched all our hearts as she took her wings off every morning, put them in her car, and proceeded to make each and every day of Dad's last year special. We would also like to acknowledge the members of Hundred Church of Christ who visited him when he was unable to attend church. Ralph will be remembered for his joyful spirit, his love for his family, and his love of the Lord's Word. Friends and family will be received on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Kesterson-Rush Funeral Home, LLC. 3275 W. Roy Furman Hwy. PO Box 434 Rogersville, PA 15359. Telephone: 724-499-5181. A second viewing will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 11 to 1 p.m. in the funeral home, where the funeral will be directly after at 1 p.m. with Evangelist Steve Stevens, officiating. Burial will follow at Rosemont Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please donate in Ralph's memory to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675, St. Jude's Children's at www.stjude.org, or to a charity of your choice. Please view and sign the online tribute wall at www.kestersonfh.com.