Cecil Claude Conquest

Successful entrepreneur and valued community leader are words that friends and associates say best describe Cecil "Pic" Conquest. Conquest, 73, a native of Crown Point, died Sunday at St. Anthony Medical Center following a long illness.

Former Crown Point Mayor James Forsythe recalled that Mr. Conquest always exhibited leadership tendencies, even when he was a student at Crown Point High School in 1943 . "Pic was our class president," said Forsythe. "We had our 55th reunion this past year, and even though Pic was quite ill at the time, he made the effort to be there. That meant a lot to all of us who attended." Forsythe also praised Conquest for indefatigable energies that he said were always channeled toward the betterment of the city. "Whether he was president of Rotary, the Jaycees, or in city hall working as a councilman (in the administration of the late Mayor Richard Collins), Pic was very dedicated to Crown Point, and highly respected by his peers," said Forsythe.

Gayle Van Sessen, executive director of the Greater Crown Point Chamber of Commerce, credits Conquest with being a "community-minded citizen." She said Conquest's efforts benefited numerous chamber events, including the annual Festival Days.

Crown Point Councilman John Kemp, R-4th, has fond recollections of the man he said was a role model to him and his brothers. "I thought the world of him, and so did my family," said Kemp. "My mother appointed Pic to be our guardian if anything happened to our parents. That, in itself, was a great testimony to the type of man he was." Kemp also lauded Mr. Conquest's contributions to the business and political sector of Crown Point. "Everywhere Pic went, he cut a wide swath of respect and left a positive imprint on the city he loved," said Kemp.

He was a former city councilman, past president of Conquest Redi-Mix Concrete Association; past president of the Crown Point Rotary Club; a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Crown Point; member of the Masonic Lodge 157 F & AM; volunteer at Contact Care in Merrillville; Samaritan Counseling Center and Carita's Adult Day Health in Crown Point. Mr. Conquest was also recently employed as director of community relations at Whiteco Industries in Merrillville.

Mr. Conquest is survived by his wife, Louise; three sons, Mike (Laura) Conquest, Crown Point; Jeff (Cheryl) Conquest, Goshen; Todd (Tammy) Conquest, Crown Point; four grandchildren and one brother.

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