John E. Connor, age 81, of Ellinwood, Kansas, died Saturday, September 26, 2020, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. He was born July 18, 1939, in rural Barton County Kansas to Robert E. and Aurelia (Schugart) Connor.
He grew up in Hoisington, Kansas, and was a 1957 graduate of Hoisington High School.
After high school, he entered The Oratory in Rock Hill, South Carolina. In 1961, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in the United States, Germany and Turkey. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Emporia State University. He lived in the Kansas City area for a number of years, and was a Social Service Worker and counselor, working with the youth. He then moved back to the Great Bend, Kansas area and retired from the Larned State Hospital. The last four years, he has been a resident at the Woodhaven Nursing Home in Ellinwood, Kansas.
Survivors include two sisters, Loretta Ulrey, Logan, KS; Barbara Lehning and husband, Mike, Logan, KS; two brothers-in-law, Leonard Ehrlich, Great Bend, KS; Reuben Flagor, Hoisington, KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert Connor and Jim Connor; three sisters, Margaret Ehrlich, Jean Flagor and Mary Lou Komarek.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions a private graveside service and inurnment will be held at St. John’s Cemetery in Hoisington, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Woodhaven Nursing Home in care of the mortuary.
Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected] or can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com