Conner, Elmer (Eli)

Elmer (Eli) Conner, 96, of Radford, Va., passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, Va. Born January 13, 1915, on Conner Mountain near Matoaka, W.Va., he was the son of the late D.H. Conner and Addie Anna Kingrea Conner. Eli had lived in McComas, W.Va., until 1955 before moving to Bluefield, W.Va. where he worked for Kersey Manufacturing Company (a mining equipment company). He then lived in Princeton for 10 years and moved to Radford, in late 2002. Eli was a member of Maple View Church of Christ in Green Valley and attended Calvary Baptist Church in Radford. He was a member of the UMWA Local Union 6196 in Keystone, W.Va. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Ray, Ted, Arlie, Buck and Howard Conner; and one sister, Allie Harvey. His only daughter, Jeanie Conner Miano preceded him in death on November 7, 2004. He is survived by his loving wife, Gracie Walker Conner, of Radford; son, Dale Conner and his wife, Nancy, of Christiansburg; his grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Anthony Miano and wife, Heather, Gina Miano, Marc Miano and wife, Sarah, Michelle Valentine and husband, Shawn, Troy Malone and wife, Hope, and Debbie Shannon and husband, Patrick; and seven great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include one sister, Frances Burnette; special friends, Gary and Cathy Gibson, Macle and Gerelene Conner, Agatha Wall, Wilma Shell and Dorothy Kirby. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 30, 2011, at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with the Rev. Tony Reed officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. Grandsons and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 until 8 p.m., Friday, July 29, 2011. On line condolences may sent at www.seaverfuneralservice.com. Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton is serving the Conner family.