Lawrence Franklin "Larry" Conner, Sr., of rural Dixon, was born on February 1, 1928, in Jefferson City, a son of Willard Oliver and Stella Matilda (Wiles) Conner, and departed this life at 3:42 a.m., on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, in the Maries Manor Care Center, Vienna. He had been in failing health for some time and had attained the age of 88 years, 11 months, and 16 days.

Larry was united in marriage on November 23, 1961, at Bell City, to the former Miss Laverne Berneice Mann.

On September 14, 1950, at St. Louis, Larry entered into active federal service in the Army of the United States and served until September 13, 1952, when he was honorably discharged at Camp Stewart, Georgia, at the rank of Private First Class. During his military career, he served as an Operations Clerk and Clerk Typist at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Camp Stewart, Georgia. A man of excellent character, Larry's "Honorable Discharge" is a testimonial of honest and faithful service to his country during the Korean Conflict.

A man of conviction, he had attended church through the years and always said, "church is in your heart and not in a building". After moving back to Maries County, from St. Louis, in 2002, Larry became a member of the American Legion, Paul A. Hasenbeck Memorial Post 317, Freeburg; the Vienna-Bassett Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 4340; and while still working in St. Louis, he was a shop steward for his union at Wagner Electric, where he also helped organize the Veterans Association serving as secretary-treasurer. Larry was employed by Wagner Electric, St. Louis, as a Computer Operator, for twenty-three years, prior to his retirement in 1975, due to a disability. Activities he especially enjoyed included Cardinal Baseball, Mizzou Basketball, hunting, watching TV Westerns, and music of all kinds with Bluegrass and Polka being his favorites.

Those left to mourn the passing of Larry include: His devoted wife of fifty-five years, Laverne Conner, of the home in rural Dixon; his children, Larry Conner, Jr., Linda Kay Conner and husband, Kevin Frank, and Steven Conner, Sr. and wife, Vicky, all of Dixon; seven grandchildren, Ashley Conner (Mike) of Cape Girardeau, Julie Conner (Daniel) of Rolla, Amanda Cheatham (Randall) of Brinktown, Mary Loux of Columbia, Illinois, and Anna Conner, Steven Conner, Jr., and Cora Conner, all of Union; two great-granddaughters, Christina Cheatham and Jessica Whitehead, and a great-grandson anticipated in February of 2017; and many other relatives and a host of friends.

Larry was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Cassandra Lynn "Cassie" Cheatham on October 8, 2003; his father, Willard, on August 19, 1962; his mother, Stella, on February 1, 1991; and his brother, Everett Oliver Conner, on May 29, 1943, at the age of 17 years.

Interment with full military honors was in the Vienna Public Cemetery, near his parents, brother, and granddaughter, under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Vienna. Pallbearers for Mr. Conner were Steven Conner, Sr., Steven Conner, Jr., Larry Conner, Jr., Everett Duncan, Kevin Frank, Randall Bratcher, Steve Via, and Chet Delcour.

Memorial contributions are suggested by the family of Mr. Lawrence F. "Larry" Conner, Sr. to the Audubon Society of Missouri, 2101 West Broadway, Columbia, MO 65203 or to the Vienna Senior Citizens Center with envelopes available at the funeral home or in care of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, MO 65582