Donald Gene "Joe" O'Connor

Donald Gene "Joe" O'Connor, age 93 of Baldwin City, KS passed away Friday, January 10, 2020 at Vintage Park of Baldwin. Memorial services will be 2PM, Monday, January 20, 2020 at Wilson's Funeral Home in Wellsville, with visitation at 1PM, prior to services. Interment of cremains will follow services in the Wellsville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Vintage Park of Baldwin City or Good Shepard Hospice in care of Wilson's, PO Box 486, Wellsville, KS 66092.
Donald Gene "Joe" O'Connor was born December 7, 1926 in rural Wellsville, Kansas, the son of Charles W. and Clara (Barnett) O'Connor. He grew up in rural Wellsville and attended Central school. On April 4, 1945, Joe joined the United States Army. He served during WWII in the 11th Airborne Division, earning the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal and the Qualified Paratrooper Wings. He was honorably discharged on December 14, 1946. On January 6, 1949, Joe married Beverly J. Seyler. They were married 48 years before her passing in 1997.
Joe worked for the Sunflower Army Ammunition plant, was a delivery driver for East Kansas Chemical, was a house mover with T.J. Bivins, and worked as a heavy equipment operator building power lines. On November 21, 1998 he married Elizabeth Thurman. They were married 20 years before her passing in 2019. He was a member of the IBEW Local 304 Labor Union, the Wellsville American Legion Post 194 and the Wellsville Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed farming, travelling, spending time with his family and friends, watching his favorite TV shows, loved the Kansas City Chiefs and knew how to enjoy a good meal.
Joe is survived by his daughter, Karen Redinger of Baldwin City, KS; son, Ron (Debbie) O'Connor of Baldwin City, KS; son Kenny (Odree) O'Connor of Ottawa, KS; son Mike LaRue of Delray Beach, Florida; daughter, Michele (Tom) Parkin of Pomona, KS; son David Thurman of Boynton Beach, FL; sisters, Louise O'Neill of Williamsburg, KS and Patty (John) Watts of Ottawa, KS; 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, wives, 3 brothers, Ralph, Charles, and Wayne and 2 sisters, Chloris and Shirley.

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