Doyle Conner

TAZEWELL, Tenn. — On February 21, 2017, Doyle Conner, age 97, made his journey to his Heavenly Home, from the Claiborne Medical Center in Tazewell, TN. He was born April 24, 1919, a son of the late Thomas Franklin and Allie (Dixon) Conner. HE was saved in 1931 at Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church and was its oldest member. Doyle served as Adult Sunday School teacher and church Treasurer for several years. He was a member of the Big Spring Union Masonic Lodge #581, a Master Mason of 63 years.

After living at his childhood home place for the first 20 years, Doyle moved to Michigan to find work and lived with his brother. He was drafted into the Army on June 6, 1941, during WWII and served until 1945. Doyle completed Basic Training at Fort Oglethorpe, GA. Then received specialty anti-aircraft training near San Diego, CA, before being assigned to Fort Shafter in Hawaii. He was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He also served on Canton Island in the South Pacific where he contracted TB. Doyle spent from 1945-1951 in Veterans Hospital in Kentucky and at Oteen, NC, where he met Lois Ingle, who was working at the Hospital, and married her in 1951. Doyle retired after a 20+ year career with the Weather Bureau in Asheville, NC, and moved back to TN in 1979. Following a brief illness, Lois passed away February 11, 1996. In 1997, Doyle married Ann Bertschi and January 1, 2017, marked their 20th Wedding Anniversary. Doyle's 95th birthday was a celebration of life spent with friends and family members at Claiborne Nursing Home.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers: Noah Roscoe, Leslie F., Charles Hubert, Rev John Tony, and Roy Conner; sisters: Mamie Wheeler, Verna Skidmore, Leona Crigger and Marcille Giles.

Survivors include, his wife of 20 years, Ann Conner; son: George Bertschi, of Jacksonville, FL.; brothers, Thomas Franklin Conner, Jr. of Monroe, MI. Several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2017 at Coffey Funeral Home in Harrogate, TN with Masonic Funeral to follow at 7 p.m. and funeral service to follow at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday February 25, 2017 at the Burchett Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Burchett Cemetery in Harrogate, TN. Ministers: Rev. Stewart Fultz, Rev. Kenny Clark and Rev. Josh Hurst. Singers: Conner Family. Pallbearers: George Bertschi, Andrew Ayers and Nephews. Honorary Pallbearers: Bill Cunningham, Wayne Skidmore, Rex Metcalf and Tom Brooks. Coffey Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.