Thomas Conner

Thomas A. Conner, 85, of Mansfield, died Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital after a brief illness. Born November 7, 1921 in Mansfield, he was the son of Harry B. and Lena Schroeder Conner. He was a proud veteran of WWII, having served in the 11th Airborne Division and in the South Pacific. His unit was one of the first to land in Japan for Occupation Duty at the end of hostilities. Mr. Conner was a 1939 graduate of Madison High School and also attended Ohio Northern University. He retired from the State of Ohio in the pharmacy department and had also worked at the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy. Mr. Conner was a former member of St. John's United Church of Christ. He was a lifetime member of the 11th Airborne Division, a member of the Public Employees Retirement System, and the Mansfield Art Center. An avid reader of WWII history, he also enjoyed walking, especially to McDonald's for coffee, and was a Cleveland and OSU fan.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary J. Sarpa Conner; daughter, Susan Dennis; brother, David Maxine Conner of Mansfield; brother-in-law, Dr. Emil Barbara Sarpa of Los Altos, California; numerous nieces and nephews; and special feline friend, Cali-cocoa. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother and sister-in-law, James and Norma Conner.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 2, 2007 at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home conducted by Dr. Blake D. Wagner. Military honors conducted by the Richland County Joint Veteran's Burial Detail will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Richland County or Food Bank of the Salvation Army.