Earl C. Conner

Earl C. Conner, age 86, of Bronson, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2009, at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott, Kansas. He was born on October 11, 1922 at LaHarpe, Kansas, the son of Isaac and Effie (Vanderslice) Conner. Earl married Dorothy Madgeline Lowe on November 22, 1941 at Nevada, Missouri. This union was blessed with three daughters. They moved to the current homestead in 1957 and remained there until the time of their death. He was in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Heber City, Utah. He also served in the last U.S. Calvary at the age of 14. Since he was big for his age, they didn't bother to check it. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Earl enjoyed life. He loved to have company and visit for hours. He really never met a stranger. He enjoyed going to parades with his mules and surrey for several years. Reading a western, and playing checkers and pitch were some of his favorite pastimes. He worked as a supervisor and dynamite technician in Topeka before becoming superintendent of construction for Ray Wisdom of Pittsburg, until his retirement. He came out of retirement in 1976 to work as an inspector for the Rural Water District for a couple of years. Following this he farmed and raised cattle, working up until two weeks before his death tending the homestead. Earl always tended a large garden to feed his family and many others in the area that were in need. He never turned a hungry person away from his table and was overly generous with most. He truly cared for his fellow man. It was said that he had his own religion based on the Ten Commandments. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Lowe Conner; his parents, Isaac and Effie Conner; one sister, Leona; two brothers, Alfred Conner and Edward Conner; and one granddaughter, Lori B. Lamb Murry. He is survived by his three daughters, Connie Johnson and husband Pat of Redfield, Kansas; Shirley Edwards and husband Lester of Moran, Kansas; Vicki Murry and husband Mike of Pittsburg, Kansas; three sisters, Opal Chastain of Savonburg, Kansas; Dorothy Aldrich of Mesa, Arizona; Ruby Hoggatt of Meza, Arizona; one brother, Harold "Dutch" Conner of Lawrence, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Randy Johnson, Brenda McConville, Crystal Johnson, James Harclerode, Darin Harclerode, Rob Murry and Ted Murry; eleven great grandchildren, Bridgette Johnson, Brady Johnson, Hannah McConville, Mary McConville, Alexandria Johnson-Brodbeck, Mark Harclerode, Matthew Harclerode, Elizabeth Harclerode, Jalynn Murry, Conner Murry and Teddi Lamb; along with three new ones to come this year. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service at Moran, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Bethel Cemetery in Kimball, Kansas. The family will be present to greet friends at the funeral home at Moran on Friday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M.