Harold Ernest Conner

Harold E. "Lightening" Conner, age 87, of La Grande, died Thursday, March 27, 2003 at his home.


A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 31, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley with Pastor Gary Hood of the Pioneer Park Church of God officiating. Committal and interment will follow at the Hillcrest East Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.


Mr. Conner was born on February 3, 1916, the son of Guy and Bessie (Elliott) Conner in Counsel, Idaho. At the age of 2 he went to live with his uncle Arthur in Weiser, Idaho where he attended school. During World War II he served with the United States Navy. He was the ship barber and went to Pearl Harbor the day after it was attacked.

On September 17, 1950 he married Eileen P. Davis at the Pioneer Park Church of God in La Grande. They were the first couple to be married in the church building. He was an active member of the Pioneer Park Church of God. He worked as a loader for Boise Cascade for 33 years until his retirement.

They operated a daycare for many years and he was adopted as "grandpa" by many of the daycare kids. He was a devoted family man and loved spending time with his family. He was so devoted to his family that he purchased a home for his mother and younger siblings and took care of them. He was always had a "helping hand" to anyone who needed it.

Mr. Conner was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and gardening. He loved spending time in the mountains and just being outdoors.

Survivors include his wife, Eileen of La Grande; children, Nadine Faber of Vancouver, Washington and Sandy and Steve Campbell of La Grande; grandchildren, Michelle and Chris Stevens of Vancouver, Jaime and Teri Campbell of Boise, Jason and Kirsten Campbell of Pendleton and Derek and Brandon of Vancouver; great grandchildren, Skylar and Soren Stevens of Vancouver; siblings, Ivan and Eileen Andrew of Baker City, Wilda and Charles Hitt of Riddle, Oregon, Violet White of Gallatin, Tennessee, Hazel Martin of Weiser, Idaho and Della Widner of Payette, Idaho; and other relatives and friends.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Conner to the GRH Home Care Services in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.