WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Ernest “Bud” O’Conner was born on August 22, 1940 in Monongalia, West Virginia to May O’Conner and Alonzo Mayle. He passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at the age of 83 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. Ernest worked with his dad on a dam in West Virginia until Ernest and his grandmother Laura moved to Michigan and went to work at Research Molding in Mendon for 17 years until they closed. After that he went to work at Stark Saw Mill and helped on the farm. Bud met his wife Jo Ann Ogden at Research Molding and got married on January 28, 1967 at the minister’s home in Mendon, where Ernest lived until he passed away. Ernest liked gardening, mowing lawn, hunting, fishing, shooting pool, word puzzles, and cutting firewood. He fixed deer antlers by carving the point they were missing out of wood. He built cupboards around the house, made jewelry boxes for his daughter Martha Jo and grandchildren. Bud made tables and yard furniture, and a hat rack out of cattle horns. Ernest gave his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren nicknames.
Ernest was raised by his grandmother Laura O’Conner. He would tell us about growing up in West Virginia and the things he did. One time his grandmother told him and his brother Ed not to put a snake on the fence because it could cause a bad thunderstorm…and it did…she told them to take it off the fence. Once Bud and Ed made home made arrows and shot them in the air, Ed told Bud to look to see where it went the arrow came down and hit Bud in the left eye and blinded him.
Ernest would sit in the kitchen and watch me sew things I was making, we liked to joke around with everyone, and make up sayings that were silly and funny. We had 57 years together; some were hard but we made it together. He was the love of my life and always will be. ” – Jo Ann O’Conner
Bud is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jo Ann; daughter Martha Jo (Tony) Hatfield; grandchildren Samantha Jo Smith, Toni Kay (Zach Hall) Norton, Rebecca J.J. Norton, Keely Joelle Hatfield, and Benjamin Ryan Hatfield; great-grandchildren Serenity Mae Willman, Matthew Thomas Norton, and Xanhder Hall. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sons Mikael O’Conner and Ernie O’Conner.
Visitation for Bud will take place at the Eickhoff Funeral Home (311 W Main St, Mendon, MI 49072) on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 1 until 2pm. A funeral service will begin at 2pm with Fred Simms officiating. Immediately following the service, burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Union City. It is suggested that memorials or donations in Bud’s name be made to the family. Condolences and memories may be expressed to the family at eickhofffuneralhome.com
