Obituaries Archives — The Altamont Enterprise, March 17, 2011
Carl M. Bellinger
GUILDERLAND — Carl M. Bellinger, a World War II veteran and loving husband, father, and grandfather, died on March 5, 2011, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was 86.
Mr. Bellinger was born in Schoharie, but lived most of his life in Albany and Guilderland.
He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, and fought in the South Pacific battles of Iwo Jima, Saipan, and Tinian, wrote his family in a tribute.
He worked in the circulation department of the Times Union newspaper for 32 years before retiring in 1987. He was a life-time member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7062.
Mr. Bellinger enjoyed riding his horse, Whiskey, working outdoors, and traveling — he visited Cancun, Aruba, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest.
“He was a jack of all trades and always had a home project to keep him busy. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with family and grandchildren,” wrote his family.
Mr. Bellinger is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lillian Warner Bellinger; his daughters, Marcia Jones, and her husband, Dennis, and Sharon Genhofer, and her husband, Bruce; and his grandchildren, Shane Jones, and his wife, Melanie, Blake and Nicole Jones, and Rachele, Alexa, and Aidan Genhofer.
His brother, Earl Bellinger, died before him.
The family would like to thank Crystal for her constant loving care and support; Dr. David Hornick and P.A. Craig Ritchie of Homedical Associates; the Visiting Nurses of Albany, especially Rose, Joel, Lori, and Beth; and the Guilderland Caregivers, for their support and respite.
A funeral service was held on March 8 at Hans Funeral Home in Albany; interment was at Memory Garden, with a Marine Color Guard in attendance.
Donald E. Conklin
MIDDLEBURGH — Donald E. Conklin Jr., a seasoned hunter and United States Navy veteran, was an outgoing man with a gift for gab.
“He could make a short story long any day of the week,” said his wife of 39 years, Jennifer Conklin, with a laugh.
“He treated everybody the same,” she went on. “Didn’t matter if you were rich or poor.”
Mr. Conklin died on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at the Cobleskill Regional Hospital. He was 64.
Born on Nov. 14, 1946, in Niskayuna, the son of Donald E. and Mildred (Porter) Conklin Sr., he was raised in Berne and was a 1965 graduated of Berne-Knox High School.
Mr. Conklin served in the United States Navy from 1965 until 1969, when he was honorably discharged. He served three tours on the USS Coral Sea during the Vietnam War, and received a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, a Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, and an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
He moved to Middleburgh in 1972, and became a member of the American Legion Timothy Murphy Post 248.
“He was proud of his military service,” his wife said, and he was proud of his father’s military service during World War II. “His father was in five major battles in Europe, and he spent a lot of time reading and researching about that,” said his wife.
After leaving the military, Mr. Conklin worked as a machine operator for Loretex at Northeastern Industrial Park in Guilderland.
He served on boards for the Middleburgh Rod and Gun Club and the Middleburgh Little League, and he enjoyed participating in the fishing derby.
“He loved to hunt; he loved to fish; he loved to swap stories with his buddies,” said his wife. “And he loved his kids, and his family.” They have a 4-year-old granddaughter, Alexis. He called her “Butterbean.”
“He gave her that when she was probably a month old,” Mrs. Conklin said of the nickname.
Mr. Conklin and his wife met about 40 years ago through mutual friends. They were married on Jan. 13, 1972.
Mrs. Conklin remembers attending yard sales and garage sales with her husband, and they always enjoyed cooking outside when the weather was warmer.
“That was something we did every night in the summer, unless it was pouring rain,” Mrs. Conklin said. “That was the first sign that spring was here, when we’d start cooking outside in the backyard.”
****
In addition to his wife, Jennifer (Briggs) Conklin, Mr. Conklin is survived by his five children: Matthew Conklin of Cobleskill; Daniel Conklin of Coxsackie; Sue Conklin of Fultonham; Andrew Conklin of Middleburgh; and Julie Conklin of Middleburgh.
He is also survived by his granddaughter: Alexis Skowfoe, who brought him great joy, and three brothers: Clark Conklin of Knox and his wife Judy; Ike Conklin of East Berne and his wife, Diane; and Mark Conklin of Esperance and his wife, Denise.
He is also survived by his uncle, Mace Porter of Berne; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, March 15, at Palmer and Shaylor Funeral Home in Middleburgh, with Rev. Peter J. DeBartolo of the Gallupville Evangelical Lutheran Church officiating. The American Legion Timothy Murphy Post 248 held a service as well. Interment will be private.
Online condolences may be left at www.PalmerShaylorFuneralHome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to Leatherstocking Honor Flight, Post Office Box 621, Cobleskill, NY 12043.