Michael L. Conklin, age 60 of Dubuque, completed his earthly journey on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque.  To celebrate Michael’s life, a private family service is being held.  Burial will be in the Mount Calvary Cemetery, Dubuque, IA.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Michael’s family.

Michael was born on July 10, 1958, in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, a son to Robert C. and Shirley G. (Conant) Conklin.  He developed his sometimes witty, but almost always sarcastic sense of humor at a very early age.  He would perfect it throughout his 60 years to a point that he would even make himself laugh from time to time.  Michael was quite a humble man in the more public forums, but he would definitely let you know what he thought about any given topic when he was feeling comfortable within the confines of his close relationships with family and friends.  And, if the subject happened to contain some of his favorite Science Fiction, movies or games you could be sure that you were going to be correctly informed in only mere moments; and possibly with an excellent impression or two and always with absolute authority!

Michael devoted many years of his working life to both the Diamond Jo Casino and Wal-Mart.  He made many friends along the way and will always be remembered for both his consistency in performance and courteous demeanor.  But Michael’s real passion in life was when he was hanging out with his family.  Never having any children of his own, Michael had developed an uncanny knack for adopting Nieces and Nephews without any effort at all.  If Michael had decided that you were going to be allowed into his inner most circle, you could always be sure that you were there to stay.  We will miss Michael moving forward and it’s almost impossible to bear the pain of not hearing what the problems with the world are one more time, but we know Michael fought hard against his cancer over the years and now we pray he is able to rest from his labors and do a little catching up with his parents and his nephew, Keith.  Thank you Michael for leaving us an abundance of memories to hang on to until we meet again!

Those left behind to cherish the memory of Michael include,

his siblings,

Don (Nichole) Conklin, Eau Claire, WI,

Phillip Conklin, Milwaukee, WI,

and Pat Schoonover, Dubuque, IA;

his nieces and nephew,

Teresa (Stephen) Green, Dubuque, IA,

John (Stacey) Hudson, Lake Geneva, WI,

and Amanda (Jacob) Winders, Dubuque, IA;

and his great-nieces and nephews who will lovingly remember Michael as “Uncle Monkey”.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents; and a nephew, Keith Brian.

Michael’s family would like to thank the Dr’s, nurses and staff at Mercy Hospital, and Hospice of Dubuque, for all of their wonderful care and support of Michael, and his family.

Online condolences may be shared with Michael’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com