Cornelius (Neil) Wesley Conklin

Cornelius (Neil) Wesley Conklin was born July 12, 1935, at a birthday party for his Aunt “Mag” that his mother was attending. He was the middle child of seven born to William Radford Conklin and Elizabeth Swift Conklin in Harverstraw, New York. Neil grew up with four sisters and two brothers and graduated from Haverstraw High School in 1953.

Neil passed away on August 29, 2025, in the hospital at the age of 90.

A celebration of life will be held at the Worship Place on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 11 a.m. followed by his cremains to be buried at the Liberty Hill Cemetery, Liberty Hill, Texas, next to his first wife.

In April 1954, he entered the U.S. Air Force for a four-year term. After basic training, he served in Korea, Labrador and Texas.

He met his first wife Norma Ruth Ellason in Texas and they were married on November 27, 1957, in Austin, Texas. They were blessed to have two children, William Christopher and Shirley Anne, of whom he was extremely proud.

After graduating from Nixon-Clay Business College, Neil worked for Montgomery Wards Retail Store in Austin, Texas, for 30 years, retiring as Personnel Manager in 1997.

After the death of Norma on August 28, 1998, Neil moved to Sun City. On Thanksgiving, November 28, 2002, he married Joyce Roberts Swain. Since moving to Sun City Neil has been a member of The Worship Place. He and his wife have been hosts in their home of a Bible study connection group.

Over the years, Neil has had many different hobbies including traveling, ancestry, gardening and playing cards. In his younger years he played golf and did a lot of wood working, selling many of his projects at Sammy Shows. He has had many dogs as pets, the last two named Rusty and Curly (both French Poodles). His current dog is a shih tzu named Casper who will miss him very much.

Preceded in death by his son William (Chris) Conklin, parents: William and Elizabeth Conklin. Brothers William R Conklin, Jr. and Thomas Conklin, Sisters Margaret Mazza, Anastasia Slapp, Shirley Hladik and Marian Makowski Grandaughter Samantha Smith.

Survived by: wife Joyce Conklin. Daughter Shirley Ann Smith, Brother-in-law Joe Slapp, Step Daughter Donelle Ruthart (Gayle), Step Son Scott Swain (Anne) Grandchildren: Travis Smith (Selenne), Shawn Conklin, Heather Rush (Codee), and Michael Conklin (Michelle) Step Grandchildren: Jessica Merrill, Jerad Ruthart, Christopher Ruthart (Kelsey) and Shelby Ann Farias (Cesar). Great Grandchildren: Samantha and Jaxon Smith, Vivian, Lincoln and Paxton Rush. Step Great Grandchildren: Caleb, Lillian, Alyssa, Jacob, Harper, Celia and Kohen Ruthart.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to The Worship Place or charity of your choice.