Earl A. Conklin of Hillsville passed into the loving arms of our Lord on February 27, 2016, after a strong fight against cancer. All of his family will miss his laughter and undaunting sense of humor in their lives.

Earl was a proud veteran of the Army in Korea. He was a retired member of the Monticello Police Department as well as the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department. He was an avid hunter and fisherman for his entire life, and absolutely loved tying flies, a hobby he passed on to anyone who wanted to learn.

Earl was one of the best body and fender repairmen. He could repair and rebuild a vehicle until it was better than new. People came from all over to ask him to restore old vehicles to their former glory.

He was a loving husband to Barbara Kroeger Conklin, and they resided in their home in Hillsville, Virginia until his passing in a beautiful hospice home. He also leaves behind his children, Earl Jr. (Clarese) of Monticello, Laurel Mentnech (Scott) of Neversink, and Harold Miller of Port Jervis. He was grandfather to Edie, Toni, Earl III, and Jonathan Conklin, Ethan, and triplets, Samantha, Isabelle and Abbigail Mentnech, and Aaliyah Miller; great-grandfather to Derick Koen, and Alexander and Matthew Heininger of Rochester, NY. He is also survived by his sister, Ella Akers of Fries, Virginia and nephew, Rodney Akers, and several other nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents; his daughter, Vonnie Sue Conklin; and his brother, Edward Conklin.

He will be cremated at the convenience of his family and then he will return to Sullivan County where he will be able to rest eternally. There will be no viewing; however, a memorial service will be held at the V.F.W. in Hillsville, Virginia at a later date. The family request that donations be made to Woltz Hospice home 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC 27017. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the Conklin family.