Ride for 22

Ride For 22 Oregon Chapter Wildlife Safari 5k Run/Walk - 2026

Remembering Conner Austin Robertson LCpl - USMC
11/30/03 - 09/29/24

LCpl Conner Austin Robertson, 20, of Jacksonville, NC, formerly of Shelbyville, IL, passed away Sunday, September 29, 2024.

Conner was born on November 30, 2003, in Decatur, IL, the son of Clark and Christine (Clutter) Robertson. Conner graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 2022, where he was a member of the SHS football team. Following high school, Conner enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was currently stationed at MCAS New River in Jacksonville, NC. He was a Crew Chief for V22 Osprey.

His love of racing began at an early age, as he had a custom-built go-cart made by his father when he was 3 yrs old. He started racing when he was 5 years old. He raced Quarter Midgets at CCQMA in Taylorville as well as other tracks around Illinois and Indianapolis until he was 8. He raced sprint cars at a few tracks around the area and Indiana.

Conner’s real passion was history and participating in World War II reenactments, as he was an avid collector of rare and interesting military memorabilia. It all started when he was a little boy going to the military museum and the military surplus store in Springfield with his mother and father. Anything that had to do with reenacting and playing war was his passion. He loved dressing up as a military soldier as a child playing in the yard, crawling in the mud and the rain, or anywhere he could use his imagination. He officially joined the reenactment family in 2019 when he met Chuck Bolanis III, the president of the reenacting program He participated in WW II reenactments throughout the Midwest. He met so many people around the world and the United States. Because of the reenacting he was able to be in a movie with Dolph Lungrun in “Operation Seawolf”. That was an experience he was proud of. Conner loved airsoft and the people he met through the physical and online community. He was a very funny and caring person and he will be greatly missed.

Conner is survived by his parents, Clark and Christine Robertson of Shelbyville; Big brother, Clayton Robertson of Shelbyville; paternal grandfather, Tony Robertson of Shelbyville; paternal grandmother, Pat Robertson of Shelbyville; paternal great grandmothers, Freda Clark of Herrick and Lula Robertson of Shelbyville; uncles, Gene Clutter (Sandra) of Pana, Kevin Clutter (Rachel) of Ramsey, John Clutter (Peggy) of Shelbyville, and Brian Clutter (Dagmar) of Springfield; Cousins Tashina Clutter, Cortney Hammond (Cody), Kaitlynn Clutter (Jacob) and many aunts and uncles, including a special great uncle, Robin Robertson of Shelbyville. He had so many special friends in his life from all over the world.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Darrell and Patricia Clutter; paternal great grandfathers, Floyd Clark and Robbie Robertson; paternal great grandmother, Betty Bridges (Don); maternal great grandparents, William and Lila Clutter and Ferd and Beulah Hadowsky; several aunts and uncles.

Remembering Eduard Raoul Conopan Cpl - USMC
02/22/87 - 03/01/21

“Eduard had a big heart and he loved animals and children. He was a second degree black belt in Taekwondo and a certified instructor. He was very patient teaching and training. He was a perfectionist and once you became his friend you had all his support. We used to travel for different events and competitions and on our way to the destination and on our way back home, we stopped at Cracker Barrel and ordered the same dish. That was, still is our thing. Every Memorial Day I go to Cracker Barrel and order the same thing, and his dish goes to a homeless person.

His favorite time of the year was Christmas and the two of us did all the decorating. A few times his dad came home early and put one ornament and said “Here, don’t say I didn’t help!” Eduard said “Mom, he did it again!” Now I do the decorating and his dad puts one ornament.

Eduard will always be remembered as great son, nephew, cousin, and friend. I know that as a mother I see the best in Eduard, but all of these memories are near and dear to my heart. Miss my Ralu.” Shared by his mother, Maria.

Awards: National Defense Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Second Award, 2 stars, NATO ISAF Afghanistan Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, USMC Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with Second Award

In 2010 Eduard Conopan, then a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps, deployed to Afghanistan with the 3d Battalion 6th Marine Regiment (3/6) as a Machine Gunner in the Combined Anti-Armor Team (CAAT) Platoon. On this deployment, 3/6 served a crucial role in Operation Moshtarak, which still stands as the largest ground offensive of the Afghan war, involving a combined total of 15,000 multi-national forces tasked with expelling Taliban forces from the city of Marjeh. During the eight months of fighting on this deployment, CAAT platoon endured some of the heaviest fighting of the Battalion. In addition to the consistent and heavy direct engagements with the enemy, CAAT Platoon was also credited with the discovery of 47 enemy weapons caches, detainment of 73 enemy combatants, and dealt with over 100 improvised explosive devices. LCpl Conopan’s contribution to the Platoon’s success cannot be overstated.

LCpl Conopan was courageous, dedicated, and selfless. He was always first to volunteer to take the watch, to ride point, or to give you his last sip of water. He was the rare breed of man that you would draft first for a gunfight, as well as the man you would confide in during your hardest days. When asked what he would most like people to know about LCpl Conopan, his Vehicle Commander said “his dedication to the safety of his team members.” This is a powerful statement about the character of this Marine. LCpl Conopan would routinely take on more responsibility than was required. He never allowed the chaos, pain, and suffering endured rob him of his compassion or his sense of humor. He was a steadying presence on his team that was always ready and willing to bear the heaviest burdens. His positive impact on the mission and his brothers in arms cannot be overstated. His brothers will miss him dearly, but will never forget the warrior he was. We are lucky to have known him and been able to call him our brother.

John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Remembering Sgt. Victor Durkee,
Sgt - US Army
07/28/96 - 04/12/24

He was born July 28, 1996 in Memphis, Tennessee, courageously confronted a lengthy internal struggle before departing from this world by his own hand on April 12, 2024. Victor proudly served our country in the United States Army, embodying the values of honor and sacrifice.

He is survived by his beloved fiancé, Lacey Davidson, who stood by him with unwavering love and support. Victor will be deeply missed by his devoted parents, his father, Mark, and his mother, Lori, and by his cherished siblings: Josh and Murphy Durkee, Kayla and Joe Stevenson, Elijah Durkee, Jayden Johnson, Sam Durkee, Emalee Johnson, Phillip Easter, Thomas Wasmund and Jamie Estep. He also leaves behind grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends, including his comrades in arms, who shared his journey and understood his sacrifices.

Victor, a man of many talents and diverse interest, brought joy to those around him with his presence and love. He enjoyed a wide range of activities and pursuits, finding fulfillment in each endeavor he undertook. His compassionate nature led him to volunteer at the food bank for the Catholic Church of the Ascension, where he selflessly served his community and made a positive impact on those in need.

Services to celebrate Victor’s life will be held at Collierville Funeral Home on April 27, 2024. Interment will occur on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 9:00 am at West Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery, Memphis, Tennessee.

Victor is my oldest son. He served 4 years active duty with the 82nd Airborne where he completed one tour in Afghanistan and six months in an emergency deployment to Iraq. He entered reserve service after his four years and was studying under the JAG team. Victor ended the battle on the frontline in his head on April 12, 2024. He was 27 years old, just 3 months shy of his 28th birthday of July 28, 1996.

Remembering Danielle (Hughes) Crone
SSgt - US Air Force
11/23/83 - 09/10/10

Danielle graduated from Fife High School, Fife, WA in 2003 and joined the Air Force immediately after. She had a heart for giving back to her community from passing out food to the homeless on the street corners, volunteering as a Big Sister, donating clothing to the AMVETS, and served as a driver for Airmen Against Drunk Driving.
Danielle truly lived a life of service, serving proudly in our Armed Forces and as a lifetime Girl Scout. She loved riding motorcycles, hockey and hanging out with her friends.
Danielle began her military career as a Boom Operator, graduating from the Basic Boom Operator course as a Distinguished Graduate. She was assigned to 384th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell AFB, KS.
Danielle repeatedly deployed 8 times in support of Operations ENDURING and IRAQI FREEDOM. While deployed, she flew more than 130 combat sorties and off-loaded in excess of two million pounds of fuel to 49 different coalition aircraft; facilitating combat missions to attack and capture enemy forces.
In addition, she was handpicked to support the Presidential Lift for the Asian Economic Conference, off-loading 60,000 pounds of fuel.
Danielle joined the 931st Aerospace Medicine Flight on August 16, 2008, as an Ophthalmic Craftsman. She was specifically requested by the 22d Medical Group to backfill in the Optometry clinic when it was undermanned; due to her stellar reputation, work ethic and history of selfless service.
Danielle succumb to her unseen wounds on Sept. 10, 2010, in Wichita, KS, she was stationed at McConnell AFB.