Gene F. Conner's Obituary
Gene F. Conner, 71, of Alliance, passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, in his home. He was born on June 12, 1941 in Maximo, Oh. Gene was a lifetime resident of the Alliance area and Stark County. He attended Washington Elementary school then graduated from Louisville High School in 1960. Gene married his high school sweetheart Karen Rae Phillips in 1962. Gene was a devoted father, husband and grandfather. Most dear to his heart was being with his wife Karen and son and daughter Dave and Suzanne. Gene was very proud of, and enjoyed watching his grandchildren succeed in dirt-bike riding, cheerleading and academics. For those who loved and knew Gene, they knew that the door to his house and heart was always open to anyone in need. He was known for welcoming relatives and family friends for extended periods when they were in need. Someone who needed a bed or a meal knew they could always count on Gene and Karen. He worked for years in Finance and hobbies included, flea markets, buying and selling antique s, hunting, fishing, and especially coaching baseball. Gene coached Alliance Hot Stove Baseball for over twenty years. Dear to his heart were the 3 State Championships he won in the late eighties with teams from both Washington Township and Minerva. Gene loved the players he coached and stayed close to many of the players well into their adult life. Gene s high school years were marked by tragedy and stardom. On October 1st of 1959, Gene s junior year of football, he and three teammates were involved in a car-train accident after practice. Gene, a halfback suffered from multiple fractures of the pelvis as well as a ruptured spleen. In many newspaper reports, doctors said it was doubtful that he would ever walk again let alone play sports. One of the men involved in the accident died as a result of the crash. The teammate that died that day happened to be Gene s offensive lineman that blocked for him and wore number 67. Gene defied the reports and doctors by not only showing up for spring baseball practice, but the following fall, was again running the ball for Louisville. Wearing the unusual running back number of 67, (the number of his friend and blocker lost in the crash), Gene had a wonderfully successful senior season. Gene ended up scoring 23 touchdowns and that year was the leading scorer in Stark County with 123 points. Gene was also All Ohio Honorable mention and 1st team Tri-County. His senior year of Baseball also proved successful as Gene pitched numerous one and two- hitters to lead the Leopard pitching staff. In newspaper articles Gene credited his then sweetheart and future wife Karen with helping him with his miraculous comeback. He stated that, "she was the only one who never gave up on the idea I d play ball again". When Karen moved out of state before his senior season, Gene put a lock of Karen s hair in his helmet as a reminder of his faith in him. Survivors include his wife, Karen R. (Phillips) Conner whom he married on October 21, 1962; daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Daniel Smith of Denver, NC; son and daughter-in-law, David and Marybeth Cottone of North Canton, OH; grandchildren Amanda Conner, Alexandra Smith, Conner Smith and Tiffany Manser & her husband Bryan; two great-grandchildren, Lucas and Mia Manser; maternal aunt, Elizabeth Jones; sister-in-law, Barbara Conner; a dear friend, Patty Eckert; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, David S. and Maryann (Oswalt) Conner; and a brother, Robert M. Conner. The family will receive friends at New Franklin United Methodist Church, 16540 Lisbon St. SE, in New Franklin on Saturday, January 26, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. His funeral service will begin at 12:00 noon with Rev. Elaine Weaver officiating. Arrangements are by the Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home, 1000 S. Union Avenue, Alliance, Ohio 44601.
What’s your fondest memory of Gene?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gene?
Share a story where Gene's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gene you’ll never forget.
How did Gene make you smile?