John L. Conner, Jr., 77, Springfield, died at 11:26 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at Memorial Medical Center.
    He was born in Beardstown on August 15, 1943, the son of John L. and Mary M. Frank Conner. He married Susan Conner and together they had three children: Brett, Matt and Jennifer. Later, John married Kathleen Conner.
    He graduated from Beardstown High School in 1961. He received an associate degree from Canton Community College where he played basketball and then received a bachelor’s degree from Sangamon State University. John proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as an Air Defense Specialist from 1966-1968. His career included work with the American Heart Association, the Springfield Board of Realtors, and Barton W Stone Home. During his retirement, he enjoyed being a bus driver for the Rochester School District.
    John was a loving father and adoring grandfather. He enjoyed tennis, golf, Illini sports, the St. Louis Cardinals, and time with his family. He was always up for a good conversation with anyone and kept everyone laughing with his sense of humor. He was immensely proud of his Irish heritage which could be heard on his answer machine, “You’ve got the Big Irishman…”
    He was preceded in death by his parents.
    He is survived by his sons, Brett (Laurie) Conner of Springfield and J. Matt (Stacey) Conner of Soldotna, AK; daughter, Jennifer (Dan) Ambrose of Mt. Prospect; grandchildren, Peyton, Wyatt, Bailey, Makena and Skylar; sister, Janice Vermillion of Beardstown; double cousins, Alta and Bill; nephews, Joe, Oliver and Alex; great-nephews, Chase and Benjamin; and great-nieces, Michelle, Megan and Samantha.
    A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 28, 2021, at Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield. Due to COVID restrictions there will be limited capacity.
    Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Plains Veterans Memorial Association, c/o Nancy Miles, P.O. Box 354, Pleasant Plains, IL 62677.
    Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.