Robert Charles O’Connor, 80, of Elk Mountain, WY, died December 11, 2021 at his home.
Services will be on Sunday, Dec. 19, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hanna, WY. The Rosary will begin at 2 p.m. with a funeral mass beginning at 3 p.m. Internment will be at Elk Mountain Cemetery on Monday, Dec. 20.
Mr. O’Connor was born February 22, 1941 in O’Fallon, the son of Edward and Gertrude (Gerardi) O’Connor. He married Sally (Schmitt) O’Connor in 1961.
Mr. O’Connor graduated from O’Fallon High School and attended Belleville Junior College. Living in Raymond, he worked as a welder and then as a heavy equipment operator. After years of hunting in Wyoming, he and his wife fulfilled their dreams of moving their family to Elk Mountain. There he worked as a heavy equipment operator for Arch Mineral until his retirement in 2005. He had a passion for Caterpillar equipment and built his own collection of heavy equipment. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He had a strong faith and was an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hanna.
Mr. O’Connor is survived by his wife, Sally; siblings Sister Gertrude O’Connor OSF, Daniel O’Connor, John O’Connor, Dennis O’Connor, and Ann King; children Michael (wife Kimberly) of Reno, NV, Maria (husband Brian) Foster of Cheyenne, WY, Debra O’Connor of Lander, WY, and Brian (wife Melinda) O’Connor of Arlington, WY; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Thomas O’Connor and David O’Connor; and sister Mary Becker.
Memorials can be made in his name to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or the Elk Mountain Community Church.
