Steve and Ellie Conlon, parents of Kilian Conlon, announced their
decision to establish the Kilian Felix Conlon Memorial Scholarship Endowment
– the Young Welders Fund – with the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation in
memory of their son. Donations from family, friends, co-workers and
members of Boilermakers Union Local 667 contributed more than $6,400 of the
$10,000 needed to begin the scholarship fund.
As a resident of Bebee, 10 miles east of New Martinsville, Kilian
traveled 128 miles round trip, 2 to 4 days a week, to earn his Associate in
Applied Science degree at West Virginia University Parkersburg. His goal was
to become a top-notch, certified welder. "He loved
welding," said his mother Ellie. "He was so excited about
finally earning his degree. He was doing very well in his classes and
was already working full-time as an apprentice in the Boilermakers
Union."
On November 1st, Kilian had a fatal accident on his motorcycle on
Friendship Ridge Road in Wetzel County.
On December 14, Klian's parents and his brother Roger attended the
graduation ceremony at West Virginia University Parkersburg. Steve and
Ellie Conlon received Kilian’s degree posthumously and accepted the gold
cord, recognizing Kilian as a Magna Cum Laude graduate.
"Kilian had an uncanny ability to understand machines and
metal," said his father Steve. "He woke up in the morning
ready to go and everyday was full. He loved to weld and
fabricate. He was a little concerned when he found out that his WVU P
welding instructor was a woman – Tina Buchanan. However, they
developed a wonderful relationship and he spent many happy hours at WVU
Parkersburg."
When she learned of Kilian’s accident, WVU Parkersburg welding
instructor Tina Buchanan said, "Kilian was such a very special
person. He was a ray of sunshine, a happy, energetic, thoughtful
student. It is always a tragedy when a young person dies. When
someone like Kilian dies, it is especially sad. He had so much to
offer the world."
Kilian Conlon’s parents own Thistledew Farms, a honey and beeswax
business, in Wetzel County. Kilian was a natural entrepreneur, working
with his father in the business from the time he was very young.
Kilian had his first "bee beard" when he was just eight years
old. When he was 17, Kilian’s picture with a full,
"flowing" beard appeared in the Parkersburg News. The
picture shows him smiling, fun-loving, full of life.
The Kilian Felix Conlon Memorial Scholarship Endowment – Young Welders
Fund will provide tuition, books, fees and transportation if necessary
for students who 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 families to attend college;
demonstrate financial need. Grade point averages or scholastic
achievement test scores will not be considered when awarding this
scholarship. Kilian’s parents hope that students who receive this
memorial scholarship will also receive some of the "spark" that
was so much a part of Kilian’s life.
Students interested in applying for the Kilian Felix Conlon scholarship
should contact their high school counselors or the WVU at Parkersburg
Foundation office at 304-424-8340. Persons interested in contributing
to the fund may contact Beth McNally at the Foundation office.
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