On December 2, 2021, John Joseph Conklin, loving husband and proud father of nine children, passed away at age 68 at his home in Mount Angel Oregon.

John was born on January 28, 1953 in Portland, Oregon, to Jack and Agnes Conklin, the second of nine children. He graduated Marist High School in Eugene, Oregon in 1971 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1975. John met the love of his life, Veronica Helen Meier, in Salem Oregon, in the same year and they were wed at St. Vincent De Paul Church on December 28, 1976. John earned a bachelor's degree in social services from Southern Illinois University and worked in senior services for a number of years, but in 1984 returned to the military as an officer in the Army National Guard.

John's 30 years of military service included a position as professor of military science at Southern Oregon University and a tour of duty in Iraq in 2003. In 2006, he retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His pride in his service to his country was second only to his pride in his wife and family.

John's booming voice, gregarious personality and joyful disposition will be missed everywhere, but especially where he was most active, including St. Mary Catholic Church, The Knights of Columbus, the Mount Angel School Board where he served from 2018 until his death, and other Mt. Angel local government.

John was preceded in death by his father Jack, his mother Agnes, and his brother Bernard. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Veronica, and his 9 children, Mary, Michael, Joseph, Cecilia, Mark, Louis, Bridget, Patrick, and Margaret, and 12 grandchildren. There will be two Recitations of the Rosary, one at 7:00pm Friday, Dec 17t at Saint Mary Church and the second Rosary will be at 10:30 a.m., with the Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. Dec 18th, at Saint Mary Catholic church in Mt. Angel. It will be available for live stream viewing by going to stmarymtangel.org/attend-mass-online and clicking on live stream.

Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel – Mt. Angel