West High School - Davenport, Iowa
   
 
 
 

Class of 1968

With Fond Memories - 2017
Our prayers go out to these families.

June 28, 2017
Wilbur Baptist, husband of classmate Deborah Beert

Wilbur K. “Joe” Baptist, 76, of South Bend, IN, passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at the Center for Hospice Care, surrounded by his family.  He was born on October 7, 1940 in Davenport, IA, to the late Wilbur and Shirley (Surratt) Baptist.  On November 24, 1978, he married Deborah Beert, who survives. He is also survived by his daughter, Kari (Joel Meyers) Turbeville of South Bend, IN; two sons, Jason (Suzanne) Baptist of Biloxi, MS and Jim (DeeAnn) McClanahan of North Liberty, IA; four grandchildren, Hailey Turbeville, Deuce and Brooklyn McClanahan, and Ashlynn Yokom; one sister, Peggy (Jerry) Mullen of Moline, IL; one brother, Richard Baptist of Davenport, IA; and his stepmother, Mrs. Stella Baptist of Silvis, IL.  Joe loved to golf, especially with his children and golf buddies: Jack, Roger, Bill and Ken.  He was a member of the USGA.  Joe was extremely proud of his son serving in the United States Air Force.  He loved watching his grandchildren compete in equestrian competitions and baseball games.  Joe loved to travel with his wife and family. Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 2, 2017 at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend, IN.  A funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the funeral home.  Private family burial will take place at a later date in Davenport, IA. Memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s honor to the Center for Hospice Care. Online condolences can be left at www.kaniewski.com.

Courtesy of the Kaniewski Funeral Homes

James Conklin
Wilbur "Joe" Baptist

Deborah Beert 1968
Deborah Beert
1968

May 12, 2017
Classmate James Conklin

DAVENPORT — James Conklin, 66, of Davenport passed away Friday, May 12, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2017, at the Runge Mortuary with a Celebration of Life following from 4:30-6 p.m. at Frick's, 1402 W. 3rd St., Davenport. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the King's Harvest no-kill animal shelter, Family Resources to help children, or to the family.

Jim was born Sept. 2, 1950, in Davenport to Frank and Josephine Conklin. He graduated from West High School in 1968. Also in 1968, he married the love of his life, Vicky Abel.

Jim worked many years for Treiber Construction, operating heavy equipment. He helped build a lot of the Quad-Cities, including most of Elmore. The Treiber family helped make his work an enjoyable experience. Jim was a proud member of Local 150, Operating Engineers. He was a hard worker and instilled that in his children.

He enjoyed playing pool, bowling, and riding his Harleys. Baseball was his favorite pastime, both playing and coaching for 12 years at Northwest Little League, winning a city championship! As vice president of the Colt League, he attended every game. Mostly, he greatly loved being with his family and loved them dearly.

Left to cherish memories of Jim are his wife of 49 years, Vicky; children, Laura Conklin and Mike Conklin, both of Davenport, and Michelle (Bob) Oberlander; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren with a new great-grandchild expected later this year; brothers, Michael (Sherry) Conklin, Bruce and Tim; sisters, Karen, Carol, Marilyn, Jean and Denise; several nieces and nephews; and special buddy his cat, Skeeter.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a grandson, Jacob; beloved dog, Lady; and beloved cat, Killer.

Courtesy of the Quad City Times

James Conklin
James Conklin 2017

James Conklin 1968
James Conklin
1968

April 17, 2017
Opal VanWinkle, mother of classmate Barbara Van Winkle Huxley

DAVENPORT -- Funeral services for Opal M. VanWinkle, 93, of Davenport, will be 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Cunnick-Collins Mortuary.

Burial will follow at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery, Davenport. Family will greet friends on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to service time at the Mortuary. Cunnick - Collins Mortuary and Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.

Opal passed away on April 19, 2017, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf.

Opal Montana Braden was born on November 12, 1923, in Grinnell, Iowa, the daughter of Everett and Bertha (Tollefson) Braden. She married Harold VanWinkle on May 10, 1949 in Davenport. She was a member of the Women of the Moose Lodge No.106.

Survivors include her husband of Davenport, daughter; Barbara (Thomas) Huxley of Davenport, sons; Gary VanWinkle of Davenport, Michael VanWinkle of Sacramento, Calif., 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, brother; Howard Braden of Hudson, Iowa, sisters; Donna Linnenkamp of Sigourney, Iowa, and Carol Gordon of Hillsboro, Ore.

Courtesy of the Quad City Times

Opal VanWinkle
Opal VanWinkle

Barbara VanWinkle 1968
Daughter, Barbara VanWinkle
1968