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BORN
1946
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
Josiah Conkling Obituary
Altoona
Josiah "Skip" Conkling, 71, passed away on June 10, 2017, at Prairie View Village in Altoona. He was born in Des Moines, on May 12, 1946, to Josiah and June Conkling.
Skip served his community as a business owner of Conkling Services for 40 years. Skip had been a member and EMS training officer of the Altoona Fire Department, served on the Care Review Committee of Homestead, and was active in seminars and training for elected officials for Homeland Security and Emergency Management. He was a commissioner on the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Commission, as well as a member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Metropolitan Advisory Council, 2030 Transportation Task Force and the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors. In his professional career, Skip was a licensed master plumber and master electrician. He traveled to Washington DC for 29 years to lobby on behalf of the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
With pride, Skip was currently serving the community of Altoona as Mayor since 2012, and was a City Council member for 16 years prior to becoming mayor.
Skip was a very kind and hardworking man who always had a smile on his face. People were his hobby as was shown by how much he gave of himself to others and never knew a stranger. Most of all, Skip loved his family and spending time with his grandchildren.
Skip is survived by his wife of 18 years, Jeanie Conkling; children, Shawn (Jeanie) Conkling, Matthew Conkling; step-children, Holly (Les) Driskill, Tarena (Don) Toy and Bowe (Kristy) Tomash; grandchildren, Brandi, Samantha, Sabrina, Chase, Bailey, Seeley, Trevor, Derek, Mason, Mead, Molly and Ryder; three great-grandchildren; many other loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Family will receive visitors from 4 to 8 p.m., on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at Altoona United Methodist Church, 602 5th Ave., SW, Altoona. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, June 15, also at the church. Burial will take place for friends and family at 11:00 a.m., Friday at the Oxford Cemetery in Oxford, Iowa.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Altoona Library, in loving memory of Skip.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Josiah Conkling
Sponsored by Hamilton's Altoona Funeral Home.
Scott
June 15, 2017
Skip's dedication to serving his community was second to none. Our thoughts go out to the entire Conkling family, he will be missed.
Leighter family
Fred & Dee Tingle
June 14, 2017
Sorry for your loss, Skip was a wonderful person who touched many lives. Keep his memories close and he will always be with you.
jackie and denny eastridge
June 12, 2017
Skip will be missed, a great guy. Our thoughts and prayers to his family
A B
June 12, 2017
Sending our deepest sympathy to you and the entire Conkling family over the passing of Josiah. Hold on to your precious memories and the love and support of family and friends. May the "God of all comfort" help you cope and give you strength and peace. 2 Corenthians 1:3,4
John Clement
June 12, 2017
Skip's family is in our prayers. Known skip since high school and his family. Many good memories doing things like his GTO and working on his Corvette in the barn and visiting his family in Grinnell. With the Lord's love and prayers. Carla and John Clement
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