Bernard A. "Bernie" Connors, age 85 and a lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away on Monday, April 29, 2019 at Hope Healthcare in Cape Coral, Florida following a brief illness.  He was born May 26, 1933 in Elwood, the son of John W. and Gladys M. (Long) Connors.  Bernie was baptized and raised St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood.  He was a 1952 graduate of Wendell L. Willkie High School and served a short time in the National Guard.  Bernie worked in production and shipping at the Delco Remy division of General Motors in Anderson for over 30 years and retired in 1993.  He married Barbara Ann Major on January 30, 1954 and they shared over 56 years of marriage together until her passing on April 29, 2010.  He was a longtime, faithful member of the Elwood Elks Lodge #368 in Elwood; member of the U.A.W. #662; and member of the Alexandria Eagles Lodge.  Bernie was an avid sports fan, and Notre Dame was one of his favorite teams.  He also played sports earlier in life, but played softball until the age of 55.  Bernie loved spending winters in Florida for many years, and he never missed a chance to listen to good music.  He especially enjoyed spending time with all his family and his longtime partner, Sue Mitroff of Elwood.

Bernie's family includes his daughter, Vickie (husband David) Wilson of Elwood; 2 sons, Kevin Connors of Utica, MI and Patrick (wife Denise) Connors of The Colony, TX; 2 brothers, Robert "Bob" (wife Charlene) Connors of Elwood and Steve Connors of Nokomis, FL; 2 sisters, Beverly Waters of Arizona and Rebecca "Becky" Stanley of Columbus; 4 grandchildren, Benjamin (wife Jacqui) Wilson, Amanda (husband Rick) Romeo, Joshua (wife Elizabeth) Connors, and Heather Connors; 5 great-grandchildren, Natalie Romeo, Alexander Romeo, Vada Wilson, Colby Wilson, and Evin Wilson; partner, Sue Mitroff of Elwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bernie was preceded in death by both his parents; wife, Barbara Ann Connors in 2010; son, Brian Connors in 2013; 3 brothers, Donald Connors, William Connors, and Kenneth Connors; and 2 sisters, Elizabeth "Betty" Call and Mary Wallace.

A funeral service celebrating Bernie's life will be conducted at 11:00 am on Monday, May 6, 2019 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Father Dan Duff of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood officiating.  Entombment will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery Mausoleum.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 6 pm on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood, and will include an Elks Memorial Service at 5:00 pm.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association through the funeral home.  Online expressions of condolence and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.