Alice Marie (Gruber) Conkle

Alice Marie Gruber Conkle, 72, was granted her angel wings unexpectedly on November 9, 2024. She was born on December 20, 1951 to Earl and Annie (Bernet) Gruber. Graduating from United High School in 1970 and then Hannah Mullins School of Nursing, she went on to dedicate her life to caring for others.  Alice nursed at East Carroll County Nursing Home, served as Health and Handicap Director for the Columbiana Community Action Agency, and ended her career working for the DANYA program, traveling nationwide to Native American reservations and many other locations to facilitate strong Head Start Early Childhood Programs. When doing this work, her colleagues frequently wanted to be assigned to her review team. 

Alice was a member of the Keep You in Stitches Quilt Club, a ticket taker at the Columbiana County Fair, the advisor of the Helping Hands 4-H club, a member of the Young Farmers State Council, a lifelong member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, and a volunteer for any organization or project for which she was needed.

Marrying Larry Conkle in 1972, Alice and Larry began to create their legacy through the birth of their children, Mary Alice Conkle Sigler and Pete Conkle. Alice was a force of nature who cared for everyone around her; always considering others before herself.  If you needed something, Alice had it, knew how to get it, or found a way to get it to you. If you were a guest in Alice’s home, she fed you, sent food home with you, and generally made you feel as though her home was also your home. Alice’s greatest happiness came from being “Oma” to her granddaughter, Tatym. She has been known to say, “I have no need to go anywhere. I’m happiest here sewing, making food, quilting, and growing food and vegetables”.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Annie (Bernet) Gruber and in-laws Horace and Margaret Conkle. She will be sorely missed by her husband, Larry Conkle, son, Pete Conkle (Tamie Ambrose), daughter, Mary Alice Sigler (Josh Sigler), beloved granddaughter, Tatym, brother-in-law, Lenny Conkle, and an entire community of people that have been touched by Alice’s wisdom, compassion, and humanity. And while we mourn our loss, we know that Alice’s legacy lives on through all who knew her. May you rest in peace, Oma.

The family will receive family and friends from 4pm to 8pm, Friday, November 15, 2024 at the Eells-Leggett-Stauffer Funeral Home.

A funeral mass will be held at 11am, Saturday, November 16, 2024 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 11328 Gavers Rd., Hanoverton, Ohio 44423 with Rev. Thomas Dyer officiating.  Private burial will take place at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Dungannon at a later date.

In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Alice can be made to Heroes and Halos ? PO Box 392, Columbiana, OH 44408 or the United Backpack Program, 8143 St. Rt. 9, Hanoverton, Ohio 44423.

Friends may also view Alice’s memorial tribute page, share a memory, and leave condolences at www.eells-leggett-stauffer.com  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alice Marie (Gruber) Conkle, please visit our floral store.