Ernest proudly served in the United States Air Force for 21 years, enlisting at just 17 years of age. Shortly after enlistment, he was transferred to Germany where he met the love of his life Johanna Anna Hermann. They married in November of 1957...celebrating 65 years together. Their son Michael was born in Germany and daughter Christine was born in Omaha, Nebraska, where Ernest was stationed for a number of years. In 1970 and 1971 Ernest served two tours in Vietnam. He was a tail gunner on the B52 Stratofortress where he successfully completed 138 combat missions. He retired from the Air Force in 1976 after 21 1/2 years. After his military service, he worked in almond farming and eventually opened a carpet cleaning business which he operated until he was fully retired.
After his full retirement, Ernest was a tireless servant to our Veterans, volunteering with numerous organizations. He received many awards and honors. He was very involved in the Merced County Honor Guard, performing military funeral services for Veterans at the National Cemetery which will be his final resting place. He volunteered to drive the Disabled Veterans Van transporting patients to the Veteran's Hospital in Fresno. He was involved in Honor Flight and actually got to go on an Honor Flight in 2018 with his daughter. It was the very first flight that included Vietnam Veterans. He was extremely involved with Merced Elks Lodge. He participated in many projects there, and at one point spearheaded a huge project raising money and donations to send care packages to troops that were deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. He handled hundreds and hundreds of care packages which included literally tons of California Almonds. Ernest was a member of the Atwater VFW Post 9946, The Air Force Gunners Association, Ballico American Legion Post No. 668, member and chaplan of Merced County VFW Honor Guard and he was a former Fire Chief of the Cressey Volunteer Fire Department.
Ernest was the best Dad and Grandpa. He was extremely proud and supportive of his kids, and he had a real soft spot for his Grandchildren, adopted Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews all over the world. He was often fondly referred to as "Uncle Ern".
Ernest was truly a one of a kind human being. He never met a stranger, and was a wealth of knowledge on just about any subject. If he didn't know it, he learned about it. We will miss him so....our very own hero.
Ernest is survived by his loving wife of sixty five years, JoAnn Conner of Turlock, California, his son Michael David Conner of Fresno, California, his daughter Christine Vieira (Joe) of Turlock, California, his siblings, John D. Conner (Patsy) of Falling Waters, West Virginia, Monte Conner (Dimitria) of Hedgesville, West Virginia and Sharon Wells (Paul) of Topeka, Kansas. Ernest also leaves behind his four grandchildren, Michael Imbrogno (Kendall), Mark Vieira, Andrew Conner, Myriam Reppmann along with his great granddaughter's Madeline and Sophie Grace Imbrogno to honor his memory.
Ernest was preceded in death by his parents David William Conner and Pearl Marie Conner, his niece Angela Conner, his great niece Jenna Conner and his great nephew Caleb Conner.
A Visitation for Ernest will be held Sunday, May 19, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service, 286 West Main, Turlock, CA 953804814.
A Funeral Service will occur Monday, May 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 640 N. Minaret Ave, Turlock, CA 95380.
A Committal Service with Military Honors will occur Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 9:30 AM at San Joaquín Valley National Cemetery, 32053 McCabe Rd, Santa Nella, CA 95322.
Serving as pallbearers are John D. Conner, Monte Conner, Joe Vieira, Mark Vieira, Michael Imbrogno, John Pereira, Julio Torres and Angelo Vieira.
