John Conlin

1926 - 2025

John Conlin
February 21, 1926 - August 27, 2025
John Robert Conlin, 99, was born on February 21, 1926, to Edward Sr. and Elizabeth (Dolan) Conlin at Mercy Hospital in Williston, ND. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on August 27, 2025, at Bethany Home in Fargo.
John grew up in Williston, where he became an Eagle Scout. In 1941, he built his own car and won the only Soapbox Derby in Williston, receiving a treasured trophy. He graduated with the Williston High School Class of 1944. His family owned and operated Conlin's Furniture.
At age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in World War II as a Yeoman 3rd Class in the Decoder Room, chosen for his strong typing skills.
While serving aboard the USS Henrico in April 1945, his ship was struck by a kamikaze near Okinawa, Japan. Thankfully, John, who had gone below deck moments before, survived uninjured but lost many of his crew mates in the attack, some of whom he prayed with in their final moments. After the Henrico was heavily damaged, John was transferred to the USS Sarasota and went on to serve aboard several ships in the Pacific before being honorably discharged in 1946.
Through the GI Bill, John attended St. John's University in Minnesota, graduating in 1950 with a degree in History. On August 28, 1948, he married the love of his life, Mary Helen Kelly, at St. Joseph's in Williston. Together they shared 77 years of marriage and were blessed with 15 children-10 daughters and five sons.
Throughout their life together, John and Mary lived in Williston, Dickinson, and Fargo, ND; and St. Cloud, MN. John worked in the family furniture and carpet-cleaning businesses and was deeply involved in his community. He served as a scoutmaster, performed in local plays and sang tenor in the barbershop chorus, took part in clown diving at water carnivals, and played drums in the Williston Cowboys' Drum and Bugle Corps.
His strong Christian faith guided his life. He was an active parishioner, serving as a cantor, lector, and member of the Knights of Columbus, where he attained the 4th Degree of Faithful Navigator.
He spearheaded the Mardi Gras fundraisers at Trinity High School in Dickinson and at St. Joseph's in Williston. John was a longtime member of the VFW, American Legion, and Secretary of the NLUS Dakota Council #394-39. In 2015, he was humbled to be chosen as an honorary crew member of the USS North Dakota submarine. He enjoyed performing with Entertainment, Inc. theater productions.
John was an avid golfer, achieving multiple holes-in-one, and later enjoyed working at the Williston Municipal Golf Course during retirement. After suffering a stroke in 2013, John and Mary moved to Riverview Place in Fargo.
Known for his quick wit and playful humor, John delighted his grandchildren and great-grandchildren with his Donald Duck voice, clown dives, and endless antics. His family loved him dearly, and he will be remembered with deep admiration.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Sr. and Elizabeth; brothers, Clement (Patricia) and Edward Jr. (Joan); sister, Theresa (Sr. Patrick); five children, Angela, James, Jean, Marie, and Theresa; son-in-law, David Huether; grandchild, Andrew Conlin; and great-grandchild, Jack Adducci. He was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law, Robert (Mary) Nyvold, James (Janet) Kelly, Bud Shanahan, Dick Dwyer, and Chuck Rohrman, as well as sisters-in-law, Kathryn, Patricia and Joan Conlin.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; his children, John (Mariam Weingarten), Marguerite (John) Gysler, Mary (the late David) Huether, Daniel (Debra Davidson), Pauline (Jerry) Davis, Edward (Jackie Hammer), Helen (Chris) Adducci, Cecilia (Scott) Emerick, Patrick (Rhonda Klasna), and Ann (David) Watterud; his sister, Mary (Conlin) Nyvold; his brother, Francis (Frank) Conlin; 35 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren..
John's Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Williston, ND. John will be laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery in Williston, ND with full military honors. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 4, 2025 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Williston, ND.
A Rosary Service, open to the public, will be held following the visitation at 6 p.m.
The funeral service will be recorded and posted as soon as it is available, you can view John's service on his obituary page on our website www.fulkersons.com.
Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston, ND is assisting the family.
Condolences may be left on our Funeral Home website at www.fulkersons.com.