Barney Conner

Barney Conner, age 40, of Gays Mills passed away June 24, 2025, at his home surrounded by family. 

Barney was born February 6,1985, to James & Jackie (Kilroy) Conner in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They lived in Delevan Wisconsin and moved to various other places. In 6th grade they moved to Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin and then to Gays Mills Wisconsin where he attended North Crawford School District. He attended North Crawford until 2002 and then graduated from Tomah High-school in 2003.

Barney loved his children, pool, and anything with a motor and tires. At age 4 he removed his own training wheels so he could ride his bike without them. He also met his life long best friend Troy Turner. Barney and Troy's parents would babysit for each other and they would even dress them alike. Barney and Troy would tell everyone that they were twins. Throughout the years they would come in and out of each other's lives but would always pick it back up like no time had passed. Barney thought of Troy's mother Tina Turner like a second mom. 

In 2007 Barney met Jessica Hutchens and in 2008 they moved to Claremore, Oklahoma. While living in Oklahoma Barney worked at the Hard Rock Casino in the kitchen and then Home Depot as a department supervisor. They married in June of 2012 and had 2 wonderful children- Willow Conner (2010) & Olivia Conner (2014). They moved back to Tomah Wisconsin in February of 2014 and later separated and divorced in 2015.

In 2015 Barney rekindled a relationship with Jennifer Applebee and started working for White Construction. They married August 31, 2019, at the Prairie du Chien Country Club in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. They had 2 wonderful children Barney Conner II (2016) and Paisley Conner (2020). In May of 2023 Barney & Jennifer bought their first home in Seneca Wisconsin.

In 2016 Barney started watching a youtuber named Cleetus McFarland and it fueled his love for motors even more. He even traveled to Bristol to watch him race. Barney was always talking about motors or racing. He would tell stories about going to Jefferson to the swap meets or going to Elkhart Lake to the Road America races as a child. Towards the end of his life his friends had come to help him put a motor in his Camaro. Barney also loved to fish and camp with his longtime friends Mike Kansier, Daniel & Tiffany Turben, and Kurt & Stephanie Groom. We'd have an annual camping trip every 4th of July. 

Barney worked for White Construction for almost 9 years. In August of 2024 he was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer. He fought long and hard with his wife, family, and friends all by his side. Through chemo, radiation, and hospice the love from the community was overwhelmingly beautiful. On his final day Barney passed peacefully holding the hand of his wife while listening to a Cleetus video.

He is survived by: his wife Jennifer (Applebee) Conner; parents Jackie (Kilroy) Conner & James (Tracy) Conner; brother James (Jen) Kilroy; stepbrother David Roland; stepsister Ellen Luke; mother-in-law Cheryl Otterson; father-in-law John Applebee; brothers-in-law: Shawn Otterson, Jamie Otterson, and Lucas Applebee; sisters-in-law, Caitlin (Chanse) Applebee and Janna Applebee; grandparents Loni & Jerry Henning; his favorite uncle Terry (Della) Kilroy; aunts Patti Erwin and Shelly (Brian) Guzman; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, great aunts & uncles, and friends. 

He was preceded in death by Bill & Phyllis Conner; grandparents Vernon Kilroy and Les & Atta Freund; his favorite aunt BJ Koehl; cousin Jason Ritter; and sister Stacey Conner. 

A special thank you to St Croix Hospice & the friends at White Construction who stayed by his side through everything: Collin, Daryl, Ryder, and Craig.

At Barney's request we will have a celebration of life, he wanted a party not sadness and tears. Please wear something blue or tie-dyed.

Family will be holding a Celebration of Life on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at the American Legion Post 220 in Soldiers Grove, WI from 12pm-6pm.

Roth Family Cremation Center and Funeral Services is assisting the family. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.