Obituary for Dorothy Conklin
Dorothy Jean (Adams) Conklin, a woman who was never shy about taking on new challenges
in life, passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
The family is inviting friends and family to gather for visitation at 10 a.m. and a service at 11
a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Daniels Funeral Home, 1401 N Broadway St. in Hastings. Pastor Bob
Norton will officiate.
Born August 24, 1934, in Grand Rapids Michigan to Lawrence and Fern Adams, Dorothy’s
family later moved to Hastings during her childhood. She married Laurence Conklin on Sept. 7,
1952 and raised two daughters.
While her work life started with jobs such as a waitress and receptionist, she showed a fearless
business mind early in her marriage. When someone offered her cash well above market value
for the young family’s mobile home, the house was sold and moved off the lot by the time a
stunned Larry returned home from work. Thankfully Dorothy and the girls drove up to inform him
of the deal a short time later.
Dorothy used those business skills when she and Larry bought River Bend Travel in Hastings in
1980, expanding its group tour division, leading hundreds of trips throughout the world. In the
1990s, she opened Hearts Desire Gift Boutique and Back Door Deli in Hastings. She was well
known for her home decorating knowledge and helped many customers decorate their homes
with unique touches and timeless pieces.
Dorothy was involved with service groups including president of the Christian Women’s Club of
Battle Creek, president of Barry County Chamber of Commerce, and chairwoman of
Summerfest parade committee. She was a member of Cedar Creek Bible Church and lived at
Woodlawn Meadows Memory Care unit for the past 17 months.
Dorothy is survived by daughters Lou Ann (Colin) Cruttenden and Connie (Martin) Haywood, all
of Hastings; sisters Beverly McDyer Hambright, Joyce Alvarez, Peggy Wilson, Kay Simington,
and brother Terry Adams; four grandchildren, Tim Cruttenden and Kelli Cruttenden, Jeff
Haywood and Sabrina Christy; and seven great grandchildren, Ian, Caleb, Abby, Amelia, Kyle,
Ben and Andrew. She was preceded in death by Larry after nearly 67 years of marriage. While
Alzheimer’s Disease robbed her of many memories late in life, she never forgot Larry.
Contributions may be made in her name to the Barry Community Foundation or Cedar Creek
Bible Church.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home - Hastings, conveniently located at 1401 North Broadway, Hastings MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net
in life, passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
The family is inviting friends and family to gather for visitation at 10 a.m. and a service at 11
a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Daniels Funeral Home, 1401 N Broadway St. in Hastings. Pastor Bob
Norton will officiate.
Born August 24, 1934, in Grand Rapids Michigan to Lawrence and Fern Adams, Dorothy’s
family later moved to Hastings during her childhood. She married Laurence Conklin on Sept. 7,
1952 and raised two daughters.
While her work life started with jobs such as a waitress and receptionist, she showed a fearless
business mind early in her marriage. When someone offered her cash well above market value
for the young family’s mobile home, the house was sold and moved off the lot by the time a
stunned Larry returned home from work. Thankfully Dorothy and the girls drove up to inform him
of the deal a short time later.
Dorothy used those business skills when she and Larry bought River Bend Travel in Hastings in
1980, expanding its group tour division, leading hundreds of trips throughout the world. In the
1990s, she opened Hearts Desire Gift Boutique and Back Door Deli in Hastings. She was well
known for her home decorating knowledge and helped many customers decorate their homes
with unique touches and timeless pieces.
Dorothy was involved with service groups including president of the Christian Women’s Club of
Battle Creek, president of Barry County Chamber of Commerce, and chairwoman of
Summerfest parade committee. She was a member of Cedar Creek Bible Church and lived at
Woodlawn Meadows Memory Care unit for the past 17 months.
Dorothy is survived by daughters Lou Ann (Colin) Cruttenden and Connie (Martin) Haywood, all
of Hastings; sisters Beverly McDyer Hambright, Joyce Alvarez, Peggy Wilson, Kay Simington,
and brother Terry Adams; four grandchildren, Tim Cruttenden and Kelli Cruttenden, Jeff
Haywood and Sabrina Christy; and seven great grandchildren, Ian, Caleb, Abby, Amelia, Kyle,
Ben and Andrew. She was preceded in death by Larry after nearly 67 years of marriage. While
Alzheimer’s Disease robbed her of many memories late in life, she never forgot Larry.
Contributions may be made in her name to the Barry Community Foundation or Cedar Creek
Bible Church.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Daniels Funeral Home - Hastings, conveniently located at 1401 North Broadway, Hastings MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net