John J. O'Connor, 86, of Hennepin, died at 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, in St. Margaret's Hospital, Spring Valley.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 14, 2009, in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Hennepin. The Rev. Patrick DeMeulemeester will officiate. Burial will be at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery, Hennepin.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, February 13, 2009, in Dysart-Cofoid Funeral Chapel, Granville, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday in the church.

Mr. O'Connor was born April 14, 1922, in Dwight to Pierce and Frances (Bonges) O'Connor. He married Katherine Bratek on June 28, 1947, in Detroit, Mich.

He graduated from St. Bede Academy in 1938 and is a member of the St. Bede Hall of Fame for his play on the football team. He worked at ExCello, in Detroit from 1941 to 1944. He served in the U. S. Navy 1944 – 1946, including duty in World War II on USS Chemung.

He owned and operated a Case implement dealership in Hennepin after the war. He then joined Illinois Power Company in Hennepin from 1952 until his retirement in 1984. He and his wife also owned and operated O'Connor's Homestead in Hennepin from 1967 until 1984.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

He served on the Hennepin Village Board and also served one term as constable. He was a member of the Hennepin American Legion.

Survivors are his wife, Katherine "Kay" O'Connor; one son, Donald O'Connor of Bonita Springs, Florida; two daughters, Barbara (Dave) Holly of Granville and Kathleen "Kada" O'Connor of Hennepin; one brother, Pierce "Dave" (Emma) O'Connor of Hennepin; two grandchildren, Jan (Mike) Hahn and Luke (Megan) Holly of Granville; two great-grandchildren, Gavin and Brody Hahn, and numerous nieces and nephews, in addition to numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James (Jim) O'Connor.

Memorials may be directed to the donor's choice.

Source: Dysart-Cofoid Funeral Chapel, Granville, Illinois