Denzel M. Conner Jr.

Denzel M. Conner Jr., 73, of Columbia City, Ind., passed away peacefully at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at his home. Born June 14, 1943 in Franklin County, Illinois, he was the son of Denzel M. and Dortha L. (Griffin) Conner.

On October 12, 1973, he married Alice M. Reed. Denzel worked for General Motors for over 30 years including Lansing, Michigan from 1972 until moving to the Ft. Wayne plant in 1993. In 2001, he retired. He was a member of Burr Oak Baptist Church in rural Albion. Denzel loved spending time with his grandsons and enjoyed riding motorcycles, riding bicycles including his recumbent bike, being outside and mowing. Survivors include his loving wife of 43 years, Alice Conner; sons, Jason (Heather) Conner, of South Whitley and Michael (Kristi) Conner, of Columbus; grandsons, Holden and Eliot Conner; and two special grand-darlings, Lauren and Caidy Hesting; siblings, Harold (Mary) Conner, Delilah (Larry) Reams, Alice (Kenneth) Hellrung, Neva (Marvin) Wells, Frances (William) Crain, Gerald (Debra) Conner, Glenda (Gordon) Brewer and Elsie (Don) Vinson. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Robert and Richard Conner.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, March 17, 2017at Burr Oak Baptist Church, 545 West 200 South, Albion with a gathering starting an hour prior to the service. Pastor Mark Woods will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Denzels memory to Parkview Whitley Home Health and Hospice. Arrangements with DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Dr., Columbia City. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send his family condolences online