Obit: Conn, William A. (1950 - 2010)

Poster: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Comer, Conn, Frey, Lallemont, Neufeld, Smith, Willger

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, January 21, 2010, online edition

Conn, William A. (July 25, 1950 - January 6, 2010)

William "Bill" A. Conn, 59, Medford, died Wednesday, Jan. 6 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where he had been a patient the past three days.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 9 at Hemer Funeral Home in Medford, with Father Gerard Willger officiating. Interment was at Town of Langlade Cemetery in Langlade with full military honors performed by the United States Air Force Funeral Honors Team. Pallbearers were Bob and Jim Conn, Pat, Billy, Jessie, Ellie and Anna Frey and Jeff Neufeld.

James Conn was born July 25, 1950 in Prairie Village, Kan., to Allen M. and Frances C. (Comer) Conn. He graduated from White Lake High School, the University of Wisconsin-Superior majoring in psychology, UW-Stevens Point majoring in physical education, UW-Whitewater majoring in health education, and received his master's degree in education in 1997.

On August 16, 1980 in Sheboygan, he married Susan "Sue" M. Lallemont, who survives. From 1972 to 2002 he served in the United States Air Force in active, reserve and guard duty as a lieutenant colonel. In 1979 he was a physical education teacher and swim coach at Freeport, Ill. for four years. He then worked at Brookfield Central in Wisconsin as a swim and diving coach for six years. He was an athletic director at St. John's Military Academy in Delafield for one year. In 1987 they moved to the Medford area where he taught psychology, physical education and health, and was a swim coach and baseball coach.

He was called into active duty in the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., for two years after the September 11 attacks. He then returned here and he resumed working until his retirement in 2007. During retirement he worked part-time at NorthCentral Technical College in Medford as a psychology instructor. He was very active and served on the Taylor County Humane Society Board, former president of the Teacher's Union, and past WIAA advisory coach for swimming. He enjoyed baseball and animals, especially rescuing them. He was also an author of two books, Get Psyched and Boom Time.

In addition to his wife, survivors include his mother, Frances Conn of White Lake; two brothers, Robert "Bob" (Margie) of White Lake and Jim (Meredith) of Holmen; and two sisters, Cherie (Pat) Frey of Polar and Ann Smith of Wausau. He was preceded in death by his father.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in his name to the Taylor County Humane Society building fund or the new high school swimming pool building fund.

Online condolences may be made at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.