Galen L. Conard, age 82, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Monday, June 25, 2018, at SSM Health Good Samaritan in Mt. Vernon.

He was born January 31, 1936, in Cisne, the son of H. Verne and Elizabeth (Tenney) Conard. On October 30, 1955, Galen was united in marriage to Marion J. Bass at the Blue Point Free Will Baptist Church in Cisne and they celebrated 61 wedding anniversaries together. She preceded him in death September 10, 2017.

Galen worked for Ashland Oil for 23 years as a backhoe operator and foreman. Previously he worked for Flora Shoe Factory, Butler’s, and did other oil field related work. He has been a member of Blue Point Free Will Baptist Church for many years, serving as trustee, drove the church bus for over a decade, and enjoyed his time in retirement keeping busy with helping the church and doing work for family and friends. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, gardening, and driving his golf cart around the property. Marion was his life’s companion and in later years he was a loving caregiver to her. Galen will be remembered as a great father and grandfather.

He is survived by four daughters: Brenda Simpson (John) of Fairfield, Lorie Freeman of McLean, VA, Cathy Draughn (Don) of Kannapolis, NC, and Gayla Smith of Ashland City, TN; a brother: Floy Conard (Mel) of Cisne; a sister: Dorothy Atteberry of Cisne; sister-in-law: Judy Conard of Cisne; son-in-law: Ernie Taylor (Tish) of Salem; along with several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a daughter: Christina Taylor; one sister: Olive Ann (Marvin) Gregory; one brother: Carlin O. Conard; brother-in-law: Robert Atteberry; and three infant brothers.

A funeral service will be at 12 Noon Friday, June 29, 2018, at Blue Point Free Will Baptist Church with Bro. Ernie Lewis and Bro. David Shores officiating. Burial will follow in Cisne Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, and from 11 a.m. until service time on Friday at the church. The family requests that memorial donations in Galen’s memory be made in honor of the work of Joy and Shane Davison with the Mediterranean Team (in France) and checks may be made to Blue Point Free Will Baptist Church. These donations will be accepted through the funeral home.