Evelyn Matilda Conner, 92, of Festus died Nov. 20, 2022, in De Soto. Mrs. Conner was a member of First Christian Church of Hematite. She was known for her caring personality and the way she greeted everyone with a smile. Born Sept. 18, 1930, in Leopold, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Matilda (Koenig) Thele. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years: Donald Conner.
She is survived by two sons: Mark W. (Susan) Conner of Festus and Anthony (Renee) Shinkle of Festus; a daughter: Patricia (David) Faerber of Festus; six grandchildren: Darrell (Ami) Faerber, Chad (Liz) Faerber, Shaun Shinkle, Ryan (Shelly Price) Conner, Alan (Robin) Conner and Cody (Jessica Kawelaske) Conner; seven great-grandchildren: Andrew Faerber, Allison Faerber, Emma Hamlet-Faerber, Wade Conner, Kinsley Conner, Kolton Conner and Finn Connor; two brothers: Robert Thele and Kenneth Thele; a sister: Judy Stause; three stepchildren: Rita Messersmith, Donnie (Debbie) Conner and Bruce Conner; and many step-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son: David Lewis Shinkle; five brothers: William Thele, Richard Thele, Jacob Thele, John Thele and Harry Thele; and four sisters: Marcella Jentsch, Juletta Thele, Gerlene Trentham and Imogene Carter.
Visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. until a funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 221 Brierton Lane, in Crystal City. Burial is in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to Guide Dogs of America; to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959; or to the Alzheimers Association, P O Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Twin City Chapel in Festus.