Justin Conklin

Justin Conklin died the morning of Monday, June 13, 2005 at the age of 19.

Justin was the son of Hugh Conklin, who was the editor of the Whitefish Pilot for 11 years. After leaving Whitefish about eight years ago, the Conklin family moved to Boyne City, Mich., where Hugh bought a newspaper.

Justin is survived by his father, Hugh Conklin, and his mother, Susan Garwood, and his two brothers, Phil and Evan Conklin.

Justin had just completed his first year at Western Michigan University and was working at the Bay Harbor Quarry golf course for a summer job. He was responsible for taking care of the course grounds and maintenance.

Justin was killed when he and the riding mower he was operating fell off the golf course's second-hole tee box down a steep embankment. A friend of Justin said he was nervous about some of the steep mowing areas.

"It is a steep embankment, that is definitely a fact," said Lt. Doug Keiser, of the Petoskey Department of Public Safety.

An autopsy was being performed to determine the exact cause of death.

Friends called Justin a free spirit who loved music and making others laugh. He was a guitarist in a popular rock band, Two-Faced Heroes, before heading off to college.

Funeral services for Justin are pending through Stackus Funeral Home in Boyne City, Mich.

Anyone in Whitefish who wants to send cards or contact Justin's family can call Paula Jones in Whitefish at 862-5424.