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Michael Joseph Conlon of Dubuque, Iowa and Anna Maria, Florida left the back nine on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at the age of 80. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 28th at St. Columbkille’s Church with Monsignor James Barta celebrant. Family and friends may call from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27th at Christ the King Chapel, Loras College, 1500 Alta Vista Street. Private burial services will be at a later date.
He was the husband of Sharon Rafoth Conlon; father to Michael Scott (Carolina), Stephanie (Stephen Russ), Sarah (Tim Osterberger) and Suzy (Greg Kalb). He was the grandfather to; Nicholas and Jonathan Russ; Luke and Joey Osterberger; Elyse, Elly, Anna and Ava Kalb; and soon to be born grandson Matteo Conlon.
Michael was the third son born to Mildred Steinbach and O.M. (Del) Conlon on March 30, 1936. He attended St. Columbkilles and graduated in 1954. He received a Business degree from Loras College and a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Iowa.
He was a partner in Conlon Construction Company and Conlon Partners where he devoted over sixty-five years of his life. Michael helped expand the business into a national company with buildings throughout all fifty states. He was most proud of the family’s legacy of buildings that can be seen throughout the city of Dubuque.
Service to the community was very important to Michael. Throughout his life he contributed his time and service to many boards including: Greater Dubuque Development Commission, Junior Achievement, Stonehill Care Center, St. Mark Community Center, The Grand Opera House, Firstar Bank, Harvest Savings Bank, Dubuque Savings and Loan, Frommelt Industries, American Arbitration Association, Dubuque Building Trades Association, and Dubuque Builders Exchange. Michael was affiliated with several professional associations in which he served in a variety of positions. These included: Master Builders of Iowa, Associated General Contractors of America, Iowa Engineering Society, National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Iowa College Foundation. He was a member of the Dubuque Shooting Society and 990 Club, Dubuque Men’s Association, Construction Fellowship, and a lifetime member of the Dubuque Golf and Country Club. He was also a parishioner of St. Columbkille’s Church.
Michael was involved in many aspects of the community, which gave him a deep sense of pride and respect for his home town. He was a staunch supporter of the three local colleges having a personal and professional affiliation with Loras, Clarke and the University of Dubuque. As a graduate of Loras College, Mike was a true “Duhawk”, who served on the Executive Search committee and was an active member of the Dubuque Loras Club. In 2007, Michael was humbled to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.
One of Michael’s proudest professional moments was receiving the honorable Build Iowa award bestowed upon him by the Master Builders of Iowa Association, an organization which he served as President. He always tried to infuse the Master Builders of Iowa’s tenets of skill, integrity, and responsibility into his life. Another accolade that Michael received on behalf of the Conlon family was the “Treasures of Dubuque”. Although he was very honored by these awards, his children and grandchildren outshined all of his other successes.
Michael was also a very patriotic man who proudly served our country. He was a member of the United States Army and was honorably discharged after eight years of service.
He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren; brother-in-law, David Rafoth (Jan), sisters-in-law Rebecca Smith (Terry Phillips) and Helen (Marti) Conlon; many beloved nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents; in-laws Eleanor and Russell L. Rafoth; a daughter Kimberlyn at birth; brothers Richard P. and Roger David Conlon, sister Mary Carol Martel; brother-in-law Patrick M. Smith; nephews David Conlon and John Martel, nieces Diane Conlon Larson and Jenny Conlon Manning.
Michael was blessed to have so many loving family members and faithful, caring friends. He shared a special bond with his golf group, the Red Shirts.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Michael and Sharon Conlon Scholarship Fund at Loras College.
The family wishes to extend a most heartfelt thank you to all of the staff and caregivers at Stonehill Care Center, Hospice and Home Instead. Their dedication and compassion toward Michael will forever provide peace and comfort to his family.
Michael tried to live by his favorite bible verse from Micah “…To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”