Harriet P. (Platt) Conklin, age 86, of Bellevue, MI passed away on September 21, 2018 with her family at her side. Her husband, who proceeded her in death 4 years ago, greeted her as she went home to be with her Lord. Harriet was born March 31, 1932 in Stockton, CA.
She was the daughter of Elmer L. & Gertrude (Williams) Platt. Harriet married Eugene C. Conklin, Jr on November 18, 1951 in Stockton, CA. After Gene’s honorable discharge from the Navy in 1955 they moved to Gene’s hometown of Battle Creek, MI.
Harriet retired from Transamerica Insurance after 27 years. She continued to work after retiring, working at Nippondenso & Kellogg Foundation as mail clerks. Her last job was by far her most favorite.
She worked at Cornwell’s Turkeyville for 17 years in sales. Besides working in sales, she also worked at Camp Turkeyville where part of the job was swinging on the porch swing at the camp store and smiling and waving to everyone who passed by. She retired from there in 2014.
In her spare time, she made baby blankets for family and friends who were expecting new arrivals. She helped her husband make a candle shop were hundreds of candles were made and given as gifts. She helped Gene make toys, hammered dulcimers, and any other wood projects Gene was working on and needed help with.
She always enjoyed any time the family gathered at the campground or for the monthly dinners to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. When she could find time to be with her very special friends it was indeed a great treat. She became pen pals with a girl in Scotland as a 5th grade project.
They wrote monthly for 66 years until, in 1998, they met for the first time in person. Phone calls replaced letters, but to this day they remain dear friends. Harriet was a lifetime member of both Happy Campers & Travel Trailer Club of the Midwest.
Gene and Harriet were instrumental in the development of TTCM campground in Bellevue. They were the director and treasure for the first 30 years of the campground. She was an avid NASCAR race fan, with Jimmy Johnson being her favorite driver.
Before Gene’s death in 2014 they had celebrated 63 years of marriage. She is survived by her daughter, Sherry (Deral, Jr.) Murrie, her son Eugene (Cindy) Conklin III. Also left behind are 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Plus, many relatives in California mourn her passing. Harriet spent the last 4 years with a most treasured companion, Richard (Dick) Hamlin. Together they traveled all over the country, spending winters in Alabama.
Her last winter Dick took her to California, so she could be with all her cousins and other family members. Harriet’s words were, “Dick is a devoted, loving, and faithful companion”. On September 4, 2018, they professed their love for each other and were wed in the eyes of the Lord.
Her daughter, Mary Roberts, her sister Eleanor Platt, her brother Lester Platt, along with her parents were also there to great her in Heaven. Visitation will be held at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm with a short memorial service at 7:00 pm. A private interment will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery.
As Harriet spent the last days of her life in hospice care, the family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Glenn Arbor Hospice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.
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