John OConnor was born July 2, 1928, at Lake Andes, South Dakota to Leo and Rachel (Montagne) OConnor. He attended country school in Lake Andes, South Dakota. He worked in the grocery store at Lake Andes as a meat cutter. Johnny married Stella Bell on August 29, 1950, at Lake Andes. They moved to Mitchell in 1952 and he worked for Sunbeam Bread Company, Pepsi-Cola and Old Home Bread Company. He and his wife owned and operated OConnors Shamrock Inn gas station until selling it in 1987. He then owned and operated OConnor Trucking and OConnor Stump Removal until health reasons forced him to retire. They spent the next five winters in Arizona. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife, Stella, of Mitchell; one daughter, Linda Mayer and husband, Dean, of Mitchell; two sons, Michael Mick and wife, Carla, of Mitchell, and Patrick Pat and wife, Patty of Alexandria, SD; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren; four sisters: Vivian McElroy of Mitchell, Maxine Nelson and husband, Nels, of Lake Andes, Helen Brooks and husband, Wayne, of Lake Andes, Ilene LaValle and husband, Ron of Mesa, Arizona, a sister-in-law, Nellie OConnor, of Sioux Falls and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Rod and Melvin and one sister, Bernice.