Richard R. Connor, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Grace Village Healthcare after a brief illness. A Warsaw resident, he was 74 years old.
Richard was born to Richard K. Connor and Margaret Chamness Connor in Chicago Heights, Ill., on March 18, 1944. He graduated from Bloom Township High School in 1962.
Richard loved his time in the U.S. Army, having been drafted on June 4, 1965, during the Vietnam War. He was proud of his E5 sergeant rank and of his service. Honorably discharged on June 2, 1967, from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Richard moved to Long Beach, Calif.
Richard went on to earn an associate degree from Long Beach City College and, on June 18, 1966, Richard was united in marriage to Marcia Schuck in Long Beach. The two spent 41 years together before her passing on Oct. 11, 2007. Blessed to find love twice, Richard was wed to Doreen Byers Whitney on July 18, 2009, at Dutchtown Brethren Church; Doreen survives.
Professionally, he spent most of his life in the auto body business, working for and managing several body shops. He loved playing basketball during his high school years, church softball and served as the game director for AWANA at his church for many years. He loved to golf, was famous for his huge calf muscles and had abs of steel — before that was a trendy thing. He also played Santa Claus for nearly 20 years for friends and family as he loved children.
Richard served his church faithfully as a trustee, deacon, nursery worker and head usher. One of his greatest joys was being a grandpa. Richard was a people person and was always known as being kind and friendly to others.
In addition to his wife, Doreen Connor, Warsaw, those surviving with memories to treasure include two sons, Ryan Richard (Rachelle) Connor, Warsaw, and Kyle Rowe Connor, Long Beach; three grandchildren: Judah Connor, Joshua Connor and Camden Whitney; a stepson, Matt (Danna) Whitney, Fort Wayne; and two sisters, Barbara (Brian) Hutson, Lockport, Ill., and Jeanette McGurr, Savannah, Ga. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Robin (Paul) Perencevic, Long Beach, and Nancy Hawkins, Seattle, Wash.; and mother-in-law, Dorothy Byers.
Richard was preceded in death by his first wife, Marcia Connor; father, Richard K. (Christine) Connor; mother, Margaret Marconi; and by brother Kenny Connor.
Friends may join family for visitation at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 E. Sheridan St., Warsaw, from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7.
A funeral service which celebrates Richard’s life will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home, with military honors conducted by members of the United States Army, Warsaw American Legion Post 49 and Warsaw VFW Post 1126.
Private burial will be in Marion National Cemetery.
*****
Those wishing to express their sympathy may leave condolences at www.TitusFuneralHome.com or may give to the following charities:
• Great Lakes Caring Home Health and Hospice, 334 Enterprise Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580.
• Tee-Ball at Pleasant View Bible Church, 2782 W. 200 N., Warsaw, IN 46580.
