George W. Konkle

George W. Konkle
of Franklin, NY
On December 26, 2009, George W. Konkle of Franklin died at home surrounded by the love and care of his family. He was born on July 30, 1933 in Harrisburg, PA. George attended and graduated from Sidney Central School in 1952. He talked often about his memories of roller skating at the Hillcrest Roller Rink and was recently able to relive some of those memories as he enjoyed watching his grandson and great-grandson skate there. George proudly served in the United States Navy as an Electronics Technician. He retired after 22 ½ years as a Sr. Chief Petty Officer. George was extremely appreciative of being able to participate in this years Veteran's Day program at Franklin Central School. If anyone wonders if these programs make a difference, George wants you to know that they do and he thanks everyone involved. He and Carol were also deeply moved by The Welcome Home Initiative that they attended with Father Nigel Mumford at the Spiritual Life Center in Greenwich, NY in August of 2009. George was a member of the American Legion Post #0806 and he talked often, with great pride, about being a "Plank Owner" on the USS Simon Lake. After retiring from the Navy, George returned to the area to work for Siemens Medical where he installed mobile CAT scan and MRI machines. He took great satisfaction in doing work that positively impacted so many people. George left this earth having lived a life that overflowed with wonderful experiences. For many years he was an active HAM Radio Operator with the call sign WA2KPS. He enjoyed hot air balloon rides, motorcycling and, most of all, reconnecting with the love of his life, Carol. In addition to his wide travels in the Navy, George and Carol took many trips after his retirement. He especially enjoyed visiting his daughters, Audrey and Alicia and their families in California. It made him very, very happy that they were able to make the trip to visit him here after his cancer diagnosis. More recently, even though he was spending many hours receiving chemotherapy treatments, George was able to enjoy watching his great-grandson, Caleb Zuk, wrestle and play soccer. He also traveled many miles to cheer on his grandson, Skyler Wightman and his teammates on the Bainbridge Guilford Boys Modified Basketball Team. George was very proud of both boys as watched them become young men. It was a special comfort to him that Caleb was often able to attend church with him at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Franklin where he was a member. George's life was like a beautiful patchwork quilt of experiences stitched together by the love of a large blended family. George is survived by his wife, Carol (Smith) Konkle; daughters and their husbands, Audrey and Casey Villyard, Alicia and Carlos Halcon, and Cora Konkle of California; step-daughters Michelle Zuk and partner, Cliff Simpson of Bainbridge and Lisa Bartlett of Corning; grandchildren, Josh and Niki Villyard, Amanda and Andrew Halcon, Jessica and husband, Anthony Smith of Bainbridge, Nicole Zuk of Norwich, and Skyler Wightman of Bainbridge; and great-grandson, Caleb Zuk of Bainbridge. George's life was made richer by many dear friends. Aggie and Ray Clapper of Franklin, Faye and Roy Vandermark of Unadilla, Pam Delello of Florida, Marge and Mariam Shaller of Port Dickenson, Dave and Carol Mau of Whitney Point and Cliff Simpson of Bainbridge all shared many hours of conversation and kindness with George and he treasured those times. George very much wanted to die at home and Michelle, Jessica and Nicole helped Carol make this comfortable for him. George now goes on ahead to meet up with his beloved father and mother, Gerald W. and Violet (Reason) Konkle; step-daughter, Julia Ann Bartlett; and dear friend, Roger DeSilvia. The family would like to offer special thanks to Father James Shevlin, the staff of Broome Oncology and the Catskill Area Hospice.
A service to celebrate the life of George W. Konkle will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Franklin. The family will be at the church at 1:00 p.m. to welcome friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be directed to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Main St., Franklin, NY 13775; or Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney, NY 13838.