Mildred A. Conner

Mildred "Millie" Conner passed away on December 22 after many years of a good life shared with family and friends. Born in 1923 and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, she raised her own family there as well. She moved to Kalamazoo in 1991 to be near her migrated family for support as her husband's health was failing. While bringing up two young sons, she worked part-time as a local church secretary. After her boys were in high school she commuted into Philadelphia to work full-time as a secretary with Scott Paper Company. She was an active participant in the faith communities of Kalamazoo's First Presbyterian Church, from which her son Wayne Conner retired after many years as an associate pastor, and Kalamazoo's First United Methodist Church. She married her high school sweet-heart "Jack" and they celebrated fifty years of marriage before his death from Alzheimer's in 1996. Her son Lawrence Conner died from cancer in 1975. Her surviving son Wayne currently resides in Kalamazoo. Mildred is also survived by her daughter-in-law Janet Baker of Kalamazoo, the former spouse of her deceased son; granddaughter Lynette Walz (Michael) of Sebawaing, MI, and their children, Logan (Caitlin), Ethan, Allie and Alona Walz; and by step-grand children Carl (Joan) Baker and Christine (Patrick) Wiles and their children. A memorial service will take place at First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo on Saturday, January 17 at 2 pm. The Rev. Dr. Seth Weeldreyer of First Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Steve Charnley of First United Methodist church will officiate.