SR0652 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0652 LRB103 35693 LAW 65768 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of David E. Conner, M.D. of Elmwood, formerly of Edwards and Fulton, who passed away on November 25, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Conner was born to William James Conner and Elizabeth Ellen (Heller) Conner in Morrison on November 17, 1941; he graduated from Fulton High School in 1959; he received his bachelor's degree from the University of Dubuque in 1963; he married Sandra Sue Nelson in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1963, and they had one child, Corinne Elizabeth, and later divorced; he earned his master's degree from New Mexico Highlands University in 1964 and completed his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago in 1968; after his medical residency, he served in the U.S. Air Force; he married Marsha Joyce Monroe in 1971, and they had two children, Tisha Lynn and Rory William, and also eventually divorced; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Conner completed his orthopedic surgery residency at OSF St. Francis in Peoria; he worked as an orthopedic hand surgeon under the Orthopedic Surgery Group in Peoria, and the group later joined with another local orthopedic group, becoming the Midwest Orthopaedic Center in Peoria, from which he retired in 2006; he was noted for being a dedicated professional and an excellent surgeon who helped many throughout his career; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Conner owned multiple companies in addition to his medical practice, including the Conner Cattle Company, the Conner Nursery & Gardens, started in 1994, and the Kickapoo Creek Winery (KCW), started in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Conner was an active member of various organizations, including the American Legion in Cordova, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the Illinois Wine Association; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Conner's special interests and hobbies included participating in plays and writing poetry while in high school and college, growing hostas, cultivating grapes, and making wine; he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, mingling with the customers and staff at KCW, giving tours of the winery, and listening to the music of Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn; he was also an avid dog lover and supporter of animal rescue; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Conner was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Randy Conner; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Conner is survived by his children, Corinne "Cori" (Jeffrey) Fogle, Tisha (Brandon) Giles, and Rory (Mary) Conner; his grandchildren, Bailey (Brandon) Roderick, Richard (Brianna) Fogle, Jacob Fogle, Jolan Fogle, Carissa Giles, Katelyn Giles, Kale Conner, and Emery Conner; five great-grandchildren; his sister, Gloria (Mike) Graville; his half-sister, Joyce Runge; his brothers, James (Sharon) Conner and Gerald (Ellen) Conner; and his longtime friend, Lisa Baize; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of David E. Conner, M.D. and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Conner as an expression of our deepest sympathy.