Dale L. Conklin, Sr., 69, of East Branch passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at Home after escaping Delaware Valley Hospital earlier that day.

Dale was born on January 25, 1948 in Walton, NY the son of the late William and Helen (Wright) Conklin. He proudly served his country in the U. S. Army during Vietnam, as a Medic. On October 2, 1982 he married Sandra Burdick in a Blue Jean Wedding, in Downsville, NY.

Dale worked as a Foreman for Johnston Forest Products in East Branch for 36 years before it closed it doors and he was forced to retire to his chair. He loved spending time with his family especially backyard competitive croquet games, whiffle ball and family bbq's. He had a love for fast cars, tinkering and fixing just about anything. Dale enjoyed playing pranks on his family such as wrapping up numerous boxes at Christmas for them to open and find nothing inside or maybe you were the lucky one to find rocks at the bottom. He loved keeping McDonalds in business by eating there almost everyday of the week; having their famous Cheeseburgers, Hash Browns and Diet Cokes.

Dale took pride in maintaining his yard and home. If you drove in his yard or threw cigarette butts or trash in it, you'd be raking and leveling it until he was satisfied it was perfect. He especially loved his "bad kitty" Izzy, his fat fluffy Patches and his 70 inch TV that was always too loud for anyone to hear and have a normal conversation around. "Why do you think we all yell when we talk?" Dale enjoyed watching NASCAR, cheering on Dale Earnhardt #3 until February 18th, 2001, then NASCAR didn't mean as much to him. He also loved rooting for the NY Yankees, the NY Giants, watching The Rifleman, Westerns, Bonanza, and his favorite, The Walking Dead.

" Dad you no longer have to whisper about the evil nurses, you're free, our undercover agent."

" Stay strong, stand your ground and never give up."

Dale is survived by his loving family, wife, Sandra Conklin, children, Lisa (Daniel) Koch, Sr. of Deposit; Amy (Mark) Bass of Downsville; Dale (Melinda) Conklin, Jr. of Hancock; Stacy (Phillip) Fenescey of East Branch; grandchildren, Justin (Stephanie), Shawn (Samantha), Daniel, Ethan, Aja, and Corey (Melissa), Haley (Kyle), MacKenzie, Bianca, Desiree, Sheree (Mike), Diona, Jonathan, and Ethan, Rowan, Stryker, Max, and Shane, Levi, Benjamin, and Dustin, great grandchildren, Gunnar, Lia, and Lincoln, Brother, Charles and Peggy Conklin, of DeLancey, sisters, Martha Luscomb of Downsville; Gail and Karl Kauffman of East Branch; Gertrude and Bob Valentine of Cambridge; Susie Conklin and Sandee Hall of Downsville; special "brother", Patrick Conklin (Terry) of DeLancey; special niece Sally Kauffman of East Branch and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother Richard Conklin, sisters, June Mills, and Sally Donisthorpe and his favorite wiener, Girly Girl Buttons.

A Memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, December 19 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 15121 Main Street, Downsville, NY with Father Michael Shank, officiating. Arrangements are with Courtney Funeral home, Walton.

There will be a get together after at the Downsville Fire Department in celebration of Dale's life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to help offset funeral arrangements to Family of Dale Conklin, P. O. Box 123, East Branch, New York 13756 or P. O. Box 235, Downsville, New York 13755.