Wilma Conklin

April 6, 1944 ~ May 7, 2018

CONKLIN - Wilma “Joyce” Conklin, age 74, passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2018. She was preceded in death by her mother, Verna Gann. Joyce is survived by her husband of 51 years, Sidney Conklin; children, Kevin (Michelle) Conklin, Robyn Pariseau, Amy (Steve) Wyma; 11 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; father, Ernie Gann; sister, Glenda Hendershot. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Friday at West Cannon Baptist Church, 5760 Cannonsburg Road NE, Belmont. Joyce’s family will greet relatives and friends one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Youth Haven Ranch at www.youthhaven.org. To share a photo, memory and sign the family’s online guestbook please visit www.stegengafuneralchapel.com Sid’s Tribute I first saw Joyce at an Easter sunrise breakfast in 1964 at Cascades Baptist Church in Jackson, MI. She was home for the weekend from Cedarville College (now a university). We were both in the church kitchen washing dishes. We were introduced at a later time In the summer of 1965, I was riding my unicycle, wearing blue jeans and a straw hat, in the Vacation Bible School parade and she thought I was cute, but very strange. She thought to herself, “I am attracted to him, but don’t think I will every marry him.” God gave us 51+ years of marriage and blessed us with 3 children (Kevin, Robyn, and Amy), 11 grandchildren (Craig, Brittany, Kaitlin, and Samantha; Jaymi, Taylor, and Levi; and James, Hailey, Alyssa, and Riley), and 5 great grandchildren (Kasen and Ashton; Karma, Emily and Brayden). If you ask if our marriage years were wedded bliss, I would be dishonest if I said yes. We were able to work together to make the marriage successful. Joyce enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes almost as much as she enjoyed holding and loving babies. We were the guinea pigs for her new recipes. I do not remember any of her food that we did not eat. Joyce and I enjoyed singing in the church choir. She also served at church as nursery supervisor, kitchen chairman, Sunday school teacher, Awana secretary over the years. We rejoice that she is with Jesus now without the many physical handicaps she endured in her final days here on earth. My heart goes out to my father-in-law who lost his wife of 75 years in January last year and today his older daughter Joyce. He enjoys relatively good health for a 95 year old. We are happy he is with us today. Kevin’s Tribute Mom liked me to bring her the plastic yard ornaments, baby ducks. I never tried to bring her a “live” duck. Mom liked my dandelion bouquets. Mom liked to cook, and I liked to eat. Mom supported all of my athletic endeavors, even though Mom was not much into sports. One time in junior high, Mom was ready to talk to my coach about my playing time. I told Mom that I would get a lot more time to play next year once the 8th graders had moved up. This is one of the few times that Mom listened to my side of the story. Mom made me learn to play the saxophone like Morry Carlson from Youth Haven Ranch in Rives Junction. I hated the sax in 6th grade. All of my friends were learning to play trumpet and I wanted to play the trumpet too. By high school, I was glad that Mom made me play sax. I was first chair all through high school. Mom typed several of my early research papers in 7th and 8th grade. After the second paper, she made me start printing. My printing isn’t much better than my cursive. Mom was ll over me about punctuation and spelling! Spelling and punctuation are still a struggle for me. Move loved “fog and toads in the pocket” games when doing laundry. Mom liked the shows at Cedar Point, Disney World, and likewise. She did not like roller coasters or really any rides except for the “kiddy” rides. Mom liked Disney World shows. She “tortured” us by making us go through “It’s a Small World After All”. Mom liked to travel including riding in the camper or motor home, aka “Bus”. Mom loved kids including nursery duty. She liked candy, cookies, and chocolate. I remember acquiring candy bars from her concession business storage. Mom “loved” to give me cookies, or at least that is what I thought when I got cookies out of the cabinet. Mom loved the church kitchen. Cooking was her passion and love language. She liked to try new recipes at home on her guinea pigs, us. Robyn’s Tribute Mom always sent cards to everyone for every occasion. Even at her crazy times, Mom still wanted to make things for people for the holidays like friendship tea, donuts, etc. Mom had a commercial donut machine that would stink up the whole house. Her cooking was amazing. Mom decorated so beautifully. She could make a shack look like a mansion. I remember going to the UP. We all slept in the green car. Mom was so patient. We stayed up north for a few nights in my Aunt Edith’s motel in Germfask, MI. I remember snowmobile rides with Dad driving. We kids would cuddle with Mom in the back. On our trips to Florida and Cedar Point, she always made sure that we were all taken care of. Our family had so much fun! I remember Dad in his little yellow swim trunks swimming with Mom at campgrounds or hotels. Next thing we knew, y’all would be kissing in the corner, embarrassing us. When Mom wanted chapstick, it meant that she wanted a kiss from Dad - “stop sign” kisses. Mom’s love for Dad was never ending. I remember Mom and Dad at the piano playing and singing together. Both Dad and Mom would let the girls ride on their backs like they were horses. Jaymi on one and Taylor on the other. Jaymi would be in the kitchen with Mom and Taylor would be outside with her grandpa. Mom would play with Levi. Sometimes she would just lay with him. Levi and his grandma loved each other so much. She always loved Levi’s clean smell after each bath. Even with a plethora of mixed emotions, she is still my mom and I have and always will love her. Amy’s Tribute Mom loved to cook and was very good at it. She always made more than people could eat and had a 5 to 7 course meal every time. She liked to entertain and could make friends anywhere. She also liked to order food from Schwan’s and we loved to eat it! She loved to travel, occasionally without us. When visiting the Dominican Republic, Mom and I would drink Pina Jugos (pronounced Peenya Hoogos) every morning. We also tried to ask for mustard in various different ways for Mom’s hamburger, but we ended up having an interpreter help us out. Apparently mustard is not close enough to the word mostaza (pronounced mustasa). When traveling, we liked to go to the Amusement Parks whenever possible. Mom would ride the spinning rides with me while Dad would ride the rollercoasters. They both very much enjoyed the shows/documentaries more than the rides. I remember going on walks as a family and getting ice cream at Frosty Boy or making chocolate malts at home on Sunday nights. If we were extra good that Sunday, we went to the Parlour. Mom loved Butter Pecan. Mom was obsessive about cleanliness which is why the rest of us like to keep things so nice and tidy. She would dust, vacuum and mop every day. I don’t believe there was dust anywhere in her house. Cleanliness is next to Godliness you know. She hated mice but we managed to own hamsters up until I proceeded to dissect one. She hated snakes. I used to harass her with a particular Ranger Rick magazine until one day it successfully disappeared. She also hated salamanders too, but I liked to catch them in the yard and save them in an empty ice cream bucket near the door. She would see it and think it was ice cream until she picked it up and discovered it was not. Needless to say, I think I caught the same salamander about 50 times. Mom also loved to read. Every morning I was home, I would find her reading in the chair in her room, mostly the Bible. She had a variety of Christian books and devotionals that kept her entertained for hours. I remember nights that got too hot, and Mom and Dad would let me sleep on the floor in their air conditioned bedroom. Mom absolutely loved children, especially babies. She loved to just hold them and kiss them until they squirmed out of her arms. She worked in the nursery and was an Awana leader for many years. She also held Bible Club at her house and helped Dad with the cotton candy at the CEF carnival. Mom definitely had her crazy moments, but that’s just what helped make her Mom. I will definitely miss her, but am happy that she is no longer suffering and is with her Lord and Savior in heaven forever. Someday we will have an ultimate family reunion! To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Wilma Joyce Conklin please visit our Sympathy Store.

Cemetery Details

Algoma Township Cemetery
10516 Grange Ave. NE
Rockford, MI,

Visitation

MAY 11. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EDT)

West Cannon Baptist Church

5760 Cannonsburg Rd.

Belmont, MI, 49306

Funeral Service

MAY 11. 11:00 AM (EDT)

West Cannon Baptist Church

5760 Cannonsburg Rd.

Belmont, MI, 49306

Leave Your Tribute Message

May 11, 2018 8:00pm

Dear Family of Joyce Gann, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Joyce was a very loved and special lady. She trusted and loved her Savior Jesus, and we will see her in Heaven some day! Ernie, I'm sorry about your daughter. Sidney, I'm sorry about your wife and Glenda, I'm sorry about your sister. The rest of you, your Mom, Grandma & Great-Grandma. May God fill you with peace, love and comfort. Diane Nicholson

- Diane Nicholson

May 09, 2018 8:00pm

We were sorry to hear of your loss. We are so thankful to know Joyce is in God's hands. We remember the fun family picnics at your Jackson property. We also appreciated all the cards you sent.  Love, Dee and Chris Stephens, Second cousins from Bill Edwards family.

- Dee

May 08, 2018 8:00pm

Sheila Livgren lit a candle in memory of Wilma Joyce Conklin

- Sheila Livgren

May 08, 2018 8:00pm

I'm so sorry for your family's loss, I will have you in my prayers may God richly bless you

- Sheila Livgren

May 08, 2018 8:00pm

While not knowing Joyce as well as Sid, it was always a joy and blessing to seem them together and how they loved each other deeply. Lynella and I were richly blessed by their regular thoughtfulness in remembering birthdays and anniversaries for us. We sorrow with you while at the same time rejoicing in the fact that Joyce no longer has to contend with the physical challenges she has dealt with for so long. Know we are praying for His grace, mercy and comfort to be yours! Love ya.

- Birne Wiley

May 08, 2018 8:00pm

Amy and Steve, we are so sorry to hear of your moms passing. Praying that you will know Gods peace and comfort during this really hard time and in the weeks ahead.  Jim and Marita

- Marita

May 08, 2018 8:00pm

Sid and family - We are so sorry to hear of Joyce’s passing. We have fond memories of your family from years ago. We will be keeping you all in our prayers.  Dick and Barb Burkhart

- Dick and Barb Burkhart




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