Allan Joseph Conkle

Allan Joseph Conkle, aged 94, passed away at home in Toledo, Ohio on October 3, 2012. He was born on March 31, 1918, in Cessna Township, Hardin County, Ohio to Lyman and Marie Kraft Conkle. Following the death of his father, Allan moved with his mother and his younger brother Louis B. Conkle to 438 East Ohio Street in Kenton, Ohio. He attended parochial and public schools in Kenton, graduating from Kenton High School in 1938. Prior to attending college, Allan worked for the Kenton Dunkirk Creamery. Allan graduated from the Ohio State University in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Business Administration, majoring in accounting. Following graduation from Ohio State, Allan took a position with Chevrolet Motor Company in Flint, Michigan. With World War II approaching, Allan secured a commission in the United States Navy, was trained in communications and billeted with an Aircraft Repair Unit stationed at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. Following service in the South Pacific, he was transferred to the United States Naval Postgraduate School, then located in Annapolis, Maryland. At the Postgraduate School, he received additional training in communications. He was ordered to the USS Vicksburg (CL86) in the summer of 1945 as Communications Officer and sailed with the Vicksburg in operations in the Western Pacific covering the approaches to Tokyo Bay prior to, and during, the formal Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945. Three days later, the Vicksburg entered Tokyo Bay. While at Annapolis, Allan met and married Martha Jean Jessen of Peabody, Kansas. They remained married until Allan’s death. Following World War II, Allan and Jean moved to Columbus, Ohio and Allan attended the Ohio State University Law School, graduating third in his class in 1948. His academic honors included Order of the Coif and Delta Theta Phi Upon his law school graduation, Allan took a position in Toledo with the law firm of Bugbee, Eickemeyer and Johnson on July 1, 1948. Allan practiced law with that firm, later named Bugbee & Conkle, for more than 55 years. Allan advised and represented businesses and individuals on wide ranging legal matters: estate planning, trust administration, contracts, business formation and succession, profit sharing and employee benefit plans, taxation and workers compensation. He served the Toledo community in a variety of volunteer roles, including many years as the chairman of the Grievance Committee of the Toledo Bar Association. From 1975-76, Allan was president of the Toledo Bar Association. He was the founding member in 1948 of the “Lake Erie Bar Association,” a Wednesday luncheon group whose civic-minded members included two mayors of Toledo, and a state and federal judge. Allan and Jean had three sons: Bill, John and Tom. The family lived on Barrington Drive in Old Orchard for over 50 years. Allan was a member of Gesu Parish, the Sylvania County Club and the Toledo Club. He was a devoted follower of Ohio State football, holding season tickets for over 60 years. He enjoyed reading newspapers and periodicals. Allan was always well informed of current events in the legal, financial and political arenas. Allan cherished his family; the family dinner was especially important to him and he strove not to miss that daily event. He relished the time he spent with his grandchildren, and was interested in their education and accomplishments. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Martha Jean (Jessen) Conkle, and their children Bill (Christina), John (Phyllis) and Thomas (MaryBeth), his brother Louis, and his grandchildren Christopher, Jennifer (Adam) Bartrim, Ann, Christian, Catherine, Jeffrey, Elizabeth, John, and Billy and one great-grandchild, Sarah Bartrim. His family wishes to extend their special thanks to the staff of Swan Creek Retirement Village and Senior Independence for the loving care and comfort they provided. Friends are invited to visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 South Reynolds Road, Toledo, Ohio on Monday, October 8, 2012 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 11 am, at Gesu Roman Catholic Church, 2049 Parkside Blvd, Toledo, Ohio. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider contributions to the Boy Scouts of America and Toledo St. Francis de Sales High School.

Allan Joseph Conkle

March 31, 1918 - October 3, 2012