Donald (Don) Richard O'Conner

Donald (Don) Richard O’Conner was called to be with our Lord on Friday, August 25, 2023.  Don was born on the family farm in Grove City, PA on January 23, 1938, to Charles S. and Olga E. (Deertz) O’Conner.  He attended Grove City schools and then went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in business from Youngstown State University after proudly serving his country for four years in the US Navy.  While in the US Navy, he traveled the world serving on the USS Caperton, USS Basilone, and the USS Tallahatchie County.  After graduating from YSU he secured a job with General Motors Corporation as a maintenance engineer for the next 25+ years in Defiance Ohio.  There he met Patrica (Pat) A. (Irvin) O’Conner and they were married in 1984.  After retiring they moved to Bluffton SC and spent 22 years golfing and traveling.  Don was very active in the community and their church, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, the BUMMS (Bluffton United Methodist Men’s group), and helping friends and neighbors with many other projects.  Pat passed away on Feb. 29, 2020.  Don later returned to PA living in Hermitage where he fit right in with his community and his church, the Hickory Global Methodist Church.  He was a kind, thoughtful, courteous, and generous gentleman to his family, friends, and everyone he met.  He had a magnetic personality and a great sense of humor. 

Don is survived by his children, John (Jill) Rodgers of Hadley PA, Tim Mathias (Kirt Edly) of Palm Springs CA, Lori (Chris) Bruce of Defiance OH, Grandchildren, Kami (Dean) Rodgers-Toth, Maddie, Will, and Jonny Rodgers, Eric and Kyle Phipps and Great-Grandchildren Harrison and Kellan Toth, Adalae and Ensley Phipps, sister-in-law, Irma (Gene) O’Conner and a brother-in-law David Bell. 

Don is preceded in death by his parents, wife Patricia O’Conner, two brothers, Eugene O’Conner and Charles O’Conner Jr., five sisters, Elizabeth Palotes, Margaret Nicholson, Ginger Hancox, Dorothy Uber, and Twila Bell, and a grandson Nicholas Rodgers.

Memorial Service

A memorial celebration of Don’s life will be held at 11:00 am on September 9, 2023, at the Hickory Global Methodist Church 240 North Hermitage Rd Hermitage PA  16148 with pastor Christine Doren officiating.  A luncheon will follow the service.  All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made in Don’s memory to the Global Methodist Church 240 North Hermitage Rd Hermitage PA  16148, or a charity of the donor’s choice. 

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