At an early age he was a
“Beeman”, who like his father enjoyed performing &
educating people about honeybees.
He went on to become a mechanic, specializing in
Chevy trucks, Honda 4 wheelers and all types of motorcycles.
He was a Boy Scout and a member of the TSA program in
Wetzel county schools.
He graduated from Magnolia High School in 1999.
However, his real love was welding.
He earned a 2-year scholarship to go to WVU-Parkersburg.
We received his Associate Welding degree, December
2001, awarded posthumously.
He was recognized as a Magna Cum Laude graduate.
While attending college, he worked full time as an
apprentice boilermaker.
He was a member of the Local 667 Boilermakers Union.
We met many of his fellow workers and each one of
them spoke highly of his skills and work ethics.
He loved welding!
Kilian had an uncanny ability to understand machines
and metal. He
woke up in the morning ready to go.
Everyday was full!
He was a little concerned when he found out that his
welding instructor at WVU was a woman – Tina Buchanan.
However, they developed a wonderful relationship and
he spent many happy hours at WVU Parkersburg.
Steve and
I have established the Kilian Felix Conlon Memorial
Scholarship Endowment – the Young Welders Fund – with
the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation in memory of our son.
It will provide tuition, books, fees and
transportation if necessary for students to attend WVU-Parkersburg.
Applicants should meet a majority of these criteria:
major in welding or industrial maintenance, are
residents of Wetzel, Tyler or contiguous counties; are the
first in their family to attend college; demonstrate
financial need.
Grade
point average or test scores will not be considered when
awarding this scholarship.
We hope that recipients of this scholarship will also
receive some of the “spark” that was so much a part of
Kilian’s life.
Donations
from family, friends, co-workers and members of the
Boilermakers Union 667 have contributed more than $10,000.00
to make this endowment a reality this year.
Donations are still being accepted.
Call or write WVU at Parkersburg, 300 Campus
Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26101 or 304-424-8340.
Interested students, please contact your guidance
counselor or visit
WVUP
scholarship page
and look for the Kilian Felix Conlon Memorial
Scholarship or email the
college at
foundation@wvup.edu
Kilian is now survived by his parents, Ellie and Steve
Conlon; three
brothers, Robert E. Mackleer, Jr. of Gaithersburg, MD, Roger
Michael Conlon of Beebe, WV; and Terra Toews Conlon of San
Francisco, CA; many
relatives, coworkers and friends. Emily
Leber Conlon, Kilian's grandmother passed away August 19,
2011 at the age of 96. She was a constant supporter of
Kilian's scholarship fund.
His
Maternal grandmother, Rosa Jopp Toews of Blue Bell, PA died
March 23, 2003; she held him the hour of his birth and the
day of his death. Kilian was named in honor of Kilian Jopp,
his great grandfather from Thulba, Germany (1866 - 1922).
His
fraternal
grandfather, Daniel Rupert Conlon of Gwynedd, PA died a few
hours later on November 2, 2001.
Dan’s nurse, hearing of
Kilian’s death spoke of how Dan knew that Kilian
would need his company.
Since the
inception of this scholarship fund in Kilian's memory, more
than 10 young persons have been able to go to college.
2002: Jason Wyke
2003: James Helmick III, James Greathouse II, Jesse McNeely
2004: Walker Howell
2005: Eric Smith
2006: Timothy Cronin
2007: Charles Levi
2008-2010: Morgan Morgan (Graduating with honors)
2011: Ethan Shawn Slider
2013: Ryan Beck
2014: Riley Garrett Gruetter
2015-2016: Robert Lockheart
2016: Aiden Wilkinson
2017: Jason Montgomery
2018: Sequoia Linton
In 2005
a special award was given to "Shane" Steele for his
motivation and determination to succeed.
Thank you
for your support in our future. You may call or
email
us for more information regarding this scholarship.
Kilian,
May you forever roam the hills and hollows of your beloved
West Virginia.
