Bernadette Conner

Bernadette Marie Conner, 78, of Rockton, IL died on Saturday, January 10, 2026 peacefully in her home with her husband by her side after a long illness. Born December 8, 1947 in Granville, South Dakota. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl and Philomena (Wojcik) Helwig of Durand, Illinois. Bernadette lived most of her life in the Durand area and graduate from Durand High School in 1966. She worked for Amerock Corp. in Rockford, Illinois for 22 years. She married Allen Conner on September 9, 2000 and they lived a happy life near Rockton, Illinois.

Survivors include, her loving husband Allen Conner at home. Brothers, Anthony Helwig and Thomas (Marcella) Helwig of Durand, Illinois. Sisters; Ann Breeze of Ridot, Illinois, Tess (Larry) Wilke and Justine Helwig of Durand, Illinois. Sister-in-law, Janet Helwig also of Durand. And her loved God children; nieces; Tina (Steve) Wilke of Durand and Quin (Brian) Koehl of Evensville, Wisconsin and many other nieces and nephews whom were close to her heart.

She was preceded in death by; her parents Carl and Philomena Helwig, Brothers, Charles (Janet) Helwig, Hyacinth Helwig, Adrian Helwig, John Helwig, and Andrew Helwig, all of Durand. Sisters; Joan (Glenn) Book of Leaf River, Patricia (David) Sumpter of Davis, Illinois (Bernadette's precious twin) Brother in laws; Gary Breeze of Ridott, Illinois. Glenn Book of Leaf River, Illinois. And David Sumpter of Davis, Illinois. Nephews; Donald Carl Smull (infant) Freeport, Illinois, Charles Helwig Jr. and Stephen Helwig both of Belleville, Illinois. Adrian Book of Leaf River, Illinois.

Special Thanks to; Justine Helwig, Eileen Bradley, Cyrena Rafael Romero and others for their loving care.

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m., until 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 16, 2026 in McCorkle funeral Home - Durand Chapel, 101 Main St. Durand, IL with a Funeral Mass of the Christian Burial to be at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church, 606 West Main St. Durand, IL with Father Dennis Vargas officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery.