Kenneth Alan “Kenny” Conner-Benton, IL

Kenneth Alan “Kenny” Conner, 74, of Benton, IL, died the morning of May 10, 2025 in his beloved home after a long battle with physical illness.

He was born on August 16, 1950 to Edgar “Red” Conner and Lillian Lucille Mabry.

Kenny worked as a plumber and retired from the Facilities Management Department at SIU Edwardsville.

Kenny and his former spouse, Cheryl Whittington Conner, had one child, Molly (Conner) Novak.

Kenny loved cars, The Rolling Stones, fly fishing, and tinkering in his yard in his spare time. He was an avid Cubs fan until they traded the dream team of Rizzo, Baez, and Bryant several years ago, but you’d never see him wearing a Cardinals shirt.

Kenny spent many weekend nights at the drag strip. He always felt Lee Iacocca should have run for president. He holds the drag racing record of 115 mph from Dairy Queen to the Benton square in a 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner and also ran 147 mph around Rend Lake in his brother’s Dodge Charger. Kenny said he thought the wheels would fall off that car. He was a member of the 750K mile club, having driven his Volvo station wagon back and forth to work 2 hours one way, everyday. He had a flair for license plate creation, as many of you have seen his legendary plates rolling through town.

As much as Kenny loved speed and power, there is something, rather someone, he loved above everything else. Kenny’s beloved granddaughter, Callie Novak, came into this world in 2009. The love that “Popsie” had for Callie was immeasurable. To the moon and to Saturn, from here to infinity, and as they liked to say to each other, “more than apple pie and ice cream.” He was a wonderful father, a tremendous grandfather, and a great friend to all those who knew him.

Kenny is survived by his daughter, Molly (Conner) Novak, granddaughter, Callie Novak, and very special sister in law, Brenda (Stacey) Whittington.
He was preceded in death by his parents, “Red” and Lucille Conner, sister, Jackie (Conner) Murphy, brother in law, Michael Murphy, nephews Christopher Murphy and Timothy Murphy, and brother, Donald Conner.

An open house celebration of life has been planned for June 8, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Palestine Baptist Church, which Kenny frequently attended and found his church family.
In lieu of flowers, Kenny would ask for donations to be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com