Francis E. Conner, 86, of Lisbon, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, surrounded by his family. Funeral Mass: Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, Iowa, with visitation prior from 9:00-10:30 a.m., at the church. Burial: Lisbon Cemetery.
Francis was born on May 20, 1939, in rural Mount Vernon, the son of Francis M. and Luella Hazel (Dorcas) Conner. Francis met the love of his life, Loretta Supple, in 1956 at Highway Gardens, and they were married two years later. He was a devoted husband for 67 years; Francis and Loretta were known around Lisbon for their love of one another, dancing, and having fun.
Francis graduated from Morley High School in 1957. While growing up on a farm, he still found time to play baseball and basketball, earning all-conference honors as a catcher in 1957. Upon graduation, Francis entered the workforce and retired from Goss in 2001, and in his younger years he served as a volunteer firefighter in Stanwood and Mechanicsville.
Francis shared his love of sports with anyone in earshot and was forever cheering on his Dodgers, Celtics, and any team associated with the University of Iowa (Go Hawks). Attending Lisbon High School athletic events was also a passion, with Lisbon Wrestling being his favorite. Francis also had a lifelong love of fishing and trapping, and could run sturgeon and land monster flatheads with the best of them. Scores of lucky people enjoyed his smoked sturgeon and deep-fat-fried catfish with the help of Loretta’s coleslaw and ice-cold beer. Francis also delivered his fish to friends and family and was widely known for helping anyone in need.
Francis was fiercely proud of and loyal to his family. Carrying the name Conner on the back of his jersey was a source of pride that he instilled in his family, and he was never shy with his expectations. He and Loretta spent a lifetime together creating a cohesive family, and Papa Francis’ wonderful smile was at its brightest while spending time with his cherished grandkids and great-grandkids. Francis had the gift of gab and leaves behind hundreds of people who were captured by his willingness to listen and ability to offer advice that was seasoned with down-to-earth humor and a glint in his eye.
Francis is survived by his wife, his children, Julie (Steve) White and Dan (Michelle) Conner; grandchildren, Alexandra Conner and Shelby (William) Bills; step grandchildren, Grady Gross and Aisling Gross; great-grandchildren, Isabel Ramsey, Savannah Ramsey, Tommy Bills, and Ellie Jo Bills; siblings, Nelda (Keith) Techau, Joe (Deb) Conner, Dale (Ronda) Conner, and Mike Conner; and several nieces and nephews.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents, son, Todd Conner, grandson, Matthew White, and siblings, Laurene (Dean) Bohr and Robert Conner.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Lisbon High School wrestling team.