Circuit Judge Conlin Dies

■ One of the most dedicated and re■ spected jurists in Washtenaw County is I dead. John W. Conlin, retiring Circuit Court I judge and a member of the Ann Arbor I área legal profession for more than 40 I years, died Thursday night in St. Joseph I Mercy Hospital. The cause of death is I listed as cáncer of the lungs. The judge turned 68 on Oct. 2. He reI sided at 1300 Linwood Ave. with his wife, I Catherine. Ironically, the death occurred only I about an hour after the conclusión of a I retirement dinner for Judge Conlin sponI sored by the Washtenaw County Bar AsI sociation. Because of his critical medical I condition, however, the guest of honor I was unable to attend the affair. (Story I on Page 15) Stories abound of the legal work done I for penniless clients at no expense by I Judge Conlin during his early days as a I practicing attorney in Ann Arbor. As one I female guest at the retirement dinner I stated, "His heart was always just a I little bit bigger." To most casual court observers, Judge I Conlin was probably best known for preI siding over the controversial and lengthy I John Norman Collins murder trial in the I summer of 1970. I Because of the publicity and public I outrage which surrounded the seven socalled "coed killings" in the Ann ArborYpsilanti area, and the subsequent spotlight of public attention which focused on the Collins trial, acting as judge in l the case was a demanding and often frusI trating task. n 7r But Judge Conlin managed it in a seemingly unperturbed manner. After almost two months of jury drawing and testimony involved in the trial, Collins was found guilty of murdering Eastern Michigan University coed Karen Sue Beineman. The judge's rulings during the course of the trial have since been upheld on appeal. Several county officials expressed sorrow upon hearing of Judge Conlin's death. Prosecuting Attorney William F. Delhey said the death was a "loss to the judiciary and to society. He was a fine gentleman, a fine judge and a fine attorney." Delhey added, "I think the highest compliment you can pay to someone is to say he is a fine man, and this was repeated by everyone at the testimonial last night." Neil A. Mast, chairman of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, said, "Ifeel the county had indeed suffered a loss in the passing of the honorable Judge Conlin, who has been a highly respected member of the judiciary and who in my opinión always demonstrated a high degree of fairness and dedication in carrying out the duties of bis position." John Conlin was bom in Ann Arbor on Oct. 2, 1904, to William J. Conlin, a local merchant, and the former Katherine Crotty. He graduated from St. Thomas High School and received a law degree at the University in 1927. On Aug. 10, 1930, he married the former Catherine Moriarty. He was in private practice as an attorney in the city for nearly 30 years fore being appointed Probate and Juvenile Court judge in Washtenaw County in 1956. Judge Conlin served in that position until 1966, when he was elected to the Circuit Court. . In announcing his retirement about four months ago, Judge Conlin said he hoped to cateh up on some fishing after his term of office expired in November. However, his state of health had been declining since an operation on his throat for cáncer in August of last year, and he re-entered the hospital for the last time on Monday. A member of St. Thomas Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, Judge Conlin was a former president of the Michigan Probate Judges Association and chairman of the Family Relations Committee of the State Bar Association. He was also active in many other organizations. He is survived by his wife; sons John W. Jr. of Ann Arbor, Patrick J. of Chelsea, Robert J. of Ann Arbor, James L. of Jackson, and Richard E. of Ann Arbor; daughter Mrs. Mary Dyer of Ann Arbor; brothers Henry T. of Ann Arbor and Joseph N. of Charleston, S.C.; and 13 grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Thomas Church with burk ial to follow in the St. Thomas Cemetery. At 8 p.m. Sunday in the Muehlig Funeral Chapel, a rosary will be said for Judge Conlin. Friends may cali at the funeral home after 6 p.m. today. Contributions may be sent to the Johr! W. Conlin Scholarship Fund, in care of James Donegan at the National Bank & Trust Co. of Ann Arbor.