Michael Ralph Confer, 70, of Centre Hall, entered into his eternal rest too soon on Friday, July 7, 2023, at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Born on May 28, 1953, in Bellefonte, he was the son of the late Ralph B. and Bertha E. (Shirk) Confer. On October 1, 1977, just shy of 46 years ago, he married the love of his life, Darlene L. Wolfe, who survives at home.
Michael graduated from Bald Eagle Area High School in 1971. After high school, he began his career at what is now known as Greymont Incorporated in Pleasant Gap. In 2015, he retired from there after more than 40 years of services. He and his wife owned Confer’s Country Market in Centre Hall from 1990 until 2015. After his retirement, he began to work as a high-voltage electrician for the Grange Park.
Michael was a former member of the Runville United Methodist Church. He served as a former President for the Spring Mills Fish & Game Association and continued to serve on their board of directors. He was a member of the Progress Grange #96 in Centre Hall. He enjoyed collecting Lionel and LGB trains. As an avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting and fishing with his family and friends. He was a sprint car enthusiast and could be found at the races most weekends. To say he was a competitive card player could be seen as an understatement.
Michael was a man that you could count on to help anyone in need of assistance, whether it was handyman tools, hauling anything, or just needed help in any other capacity. He could fix just about any problem and earned the title of the family “MacGyver.” He would drop what he was doing to help others. His level of compassion supreceeded most and he was genuine about it. He did not help for the sake of saying he helped, he did it with no regard or need for recognition or praise. He was a steadfast man with strong hands, broad shoulders, and the softest heart. He held many titles including son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, but the titles he cherished the most were husband, dad, and pappy. His legacy will be carried on by his children and grandchildren, his memories will be cherished, and he will be greatly missed by many.
Along with his wife, Michael is survived by two sons, Ian Confer and his wife, Michelle, of Richmond, VA and Bryce Confer and his wife, Misty, of East Salem; four grandchildren, Jackson, Sloane, Chase, and Kinley; his mother in-law, Joyce L. Wolfe of Centre Hall; Darlene’s siblings that he referred to as his own siblings; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Along with his parents, Michael was preceded in death by his sister, Deborah Confer-Fry.
All services for Michael will be held privately. He will be laid to rest at Farmer’s Mills Union Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Penns Valley Shooting Team, 364 Immel Road, Spring Mills, PA 16875.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc 228 S. Pennsylvania Ave., PO Box 579, Centre Hall, PA 16828. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.