Delmar McConkey
March 15, 2006

Delmar Bryant McConkey, son of Alfred B. McConkey and Grace Maude (Schneider) McConkey, was born March 27, 1921 in rural Bedford, Iowa. Delmar grew up in Bedford where Henry and Lora Haun of Hopkins, Missouri were a great influence on his life. In addition to attending school in Bedford, Delmar also attended school in the Tama/Toledo area of Iowa. Delmar later moved to Livermore, Iowa where he lived with the Andersons and helped on their farm.
On October 29, 1943 Delmar enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps and served in the Western Pacific Air Combat Theater of War as a munitions worker. Delmar was discharged on March 30, 1946 and returned to Iowa.
Delmar married Mildred Lucille Goodwin at Villisca, Iowa on May 12, 1946. Their marriage was blessed with children, James Alfred and Lora Jane. They established a home in Malvern, Iowa and Delmar began a career as shipping and receiving clerk at Tip Top in Omaha, Nebraska. After 22 years at Tip Top, Delmar accepted a similar position at Airlite Plastics, also in Omaha.
Delmar was a past member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Hastings, Iowa and the Rommell Conklin VFW Post 7064 at Tabor, Iowa. He was a dedicated worker for both organizations and faithfully sold raffle tickets for their fund raisers. He was known for his large garden and enjoyed camping and fishing. Antique autos were his passion and he had a talent to find rare autos or auto parts.
Delmar and Mildred had been married 51 years when Mildred died January 24, 1998. Delmar continued to live in their Malvern home and after retiring Delmar helped area residents with their odd jobs and drove friends to their doctor appointments. In January 2004 Delmar lost his entire home and belongings to a fire. His health proceeded to diminish and Delmar settled into the Good Samaritan Home in Scribner, Nebraska spending his last days teasing and visiting with employees and guests alike. Delmar died at the Home on March 15, 2006 at the age of 84 years,11 months,and 18 days.
Preceding Delmar in death were his parents; wife; infant sister Algretta McConkey; brothers Lenzo McConkey, Paul McConkey, Charles McConkey, David McConkey, Richard McConkey, and Don White.
Delmar is survived by his children, James Alfred McConkey of Malvern, and Lora Strehle and husband Paul of Scribner, Nebraska; grandchildren and great grandchildren Sarah Anne Hughes and her daughter Madisyn of Valley, Nebraska and Suzanne Mendlik and husband Thomas and their sons Christian and Garrison of Fremont, Nebraska; sisters Carmon Capper and husband Bernie of Council Bluffs, IA., Lois Potts and husband Cliff of Portland, OR., Freda Bennett of Grandview, MO., Irene Smith and husband Larry of Gravity, IA., and Becky Deahl and husband Larry of Gravity, IA.; sisters-in-law Fannie Pearce of Oakland, IA and Lois Ewing of Carroll, IA.; brothers Jerry McConkey of Gravity, IA., Roger McConkey and wife Lupe of Los Cruces, NM., Earl White and wife Carmen of Carthage, MO.; and brother-in-law Arthur Goodwin of Hastings, IA.; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

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