John Conklin

John F. Conklin, 77, of Bethlehem Township, died November 26, 2007 at his home. He was the husband of Elizabeth “Betty” (Bailey) Conklin. Born in Lynbrook NY, he was a son of the late Matthew and Elizabeth (McBrien) Conklin. He attended the Merchant Marine Academy in King’s Point, NY and served his country honorably in the Army as a tank driver on the Russian front during the Korean War. He worked for the New York Times for five years. Following that, he worked for forty years as an insurance adjuster for the General Adjustment Bureau in New York where he became an executive general adjuster for major business accounts. His job took him all over the country and to Europe. His wife took many trips with him. Upon his retirement, he moved to Center Valley, PA where he and his wife worked on contract to the GAB for the next five years. In 2000, they moved to Bethlehem Township. John was an accomplished artist. His work has been shown in several galleries in New York City, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. He did many oil paintings on commission. His greatest joy was having his paintings hanging in his home and giving them to his children. He was a member of the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Along with his wife, John is survived by five children,; Michael C. Conklin and his wife Marshia, Patricia Behar and her husband Harold, John P. Conklin and his wife Lana, Nancy Galbraith and her husband Michael, Peggy Pinero and her husband Jerry; three step children, Robert Sperl, Kevin Sperl and his wife Lynn, and Kathy Bell and her husband Bill; five grandchildren: Katie, Kelly, Robert “RJ”, Thomas, and Christopher; four step grandchildren: Megan, Danny, Tony, and Tim; and a great granddaughter, Hailey. A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, November 30, at the Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd, Watchung, NJ. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 1, at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, 321 Wyandotte St, Bethlehem, PA. Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Hellertown is in charge of arrangements. For directions and contribution information visit On-line Condolences at www.falkfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in his memory to the Hope Campaign of the Bethlehem Episcopal Diocese or to the Church of the Nativity.