Conrad George Auel, Jr.
April 1, 1954 ~ January 23, 2026
Born in:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Resided in:
Arden, North Carolina
Asheville Butterfly TrailConrad George Auel, Jr., born April 1, 1954, in Pittsburgh, PA was called home to heaven peacefully on January 23, 2026, in Asheville, NC, after experiencing a stroke several weeks prior.
Conrad was married for 47 years to the love of his life, Nancy, with whom he took many adventures. Together they raised a beautiful family and during their life together traveled all 50 states and multiple countries: scuba diving, eating, hiking, and beating records in escape rooms.
Conrad pastored First Christian Church in Monessen, PA for 40 years and was a man who truly lived what he preached: loving God and loving others. This could be seen in Conrad never knowing a stranger, and always showing up for the people around him. He took seriously the Lord’s calling to love others well.
Conrad loved being outside and spent many years with the boy scouts, from cub scouts to Eagle Scout to Troop Leader and the Silver Beaver award, he did it all.
Conrad will be remembered for his love of many things: outdoor adventures, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Christmas, ice cream, orange cookies, golfing, card games, boy scout patch collecting, camp fires, pizza, swimming, white water rafting, roller coasters, and scuba diving. None of these compare to the love he had for his family and especially his four grandsons.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy H. Auel; two children, Andrew Conrad Auel (Jen Auel) and Rachel Auel Smith (Sheaffer Smith); four grandsons: Jonathan Auel, Micah Andrew Smith, Judah Auel, and Oliver Riley Smith; sister, Dorothy Miller (Gary); niece, Amy Geissele (Bill); great-nieces and nephews, Abraham Geissele, Faith Geissele, Joy Geissele, and Moses Geissele; and brother-in-law, David McKown.
He was preceded in death by his father, Conrad George Auel, Sr., mother, Dorothy G. Auel, and sister, Gladys Auel Mckown.
Conrad went by many names, Husband, Dad, Pap, Uncle, Friend, and Pastor. He has left a great impression on all of the people he knew, and will be missed deeply.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Christian Church of Monessen, PA (115 6th St, Monessen, PA 15062) or Camp Christian of Mill Run, PA (P.O. Box 230, Mill Run, PA 15464)
Services will be held at Oak Grove Christian Church, where he was a member, (5 Morris Rd., Arden, NC 28704) on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Visitation will take place from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. with the service beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Services
Visitation: January 31, 2026 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://grocefuneralhome.com
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Uncle Conrad will be dearly missed by many, but non more than his family blood or no. We will forever be impacted by the Auel’s in the best of ways. Love, the Campbells.
Conrad was a blessing to all of us. He truly lived God’s words. I know he is at peace. May God grant peace to you as well, Nancy.
Conrad was a wonderful man and will be so missed. He stopped to visit the church in Monessen and stopped in to see me. Such a caring person. Nancy prayers for you and your family
Rest in Peace Con. I have fond memories of family gatherings and the Adventure Camps at Camp Christian. Thoughts and prayers to Nancy and Auel family! Hugs!
Nancy and family ~
You have our deepest condolences.
He was a man that would drop everything to help anyone. He was there for our family many times.
He is home now with the Lord.
Prayers to you and your family through this hard time
Deepest sympathy to Nancy and the Auel family. Conrad was a good friend to our father, and he cared deeply for him. He would always make sure that the congregation sang “How Great Thou Art” during his church services for our dad, it was his favorite hymn. May he rest in peace.
The family of Calvin Smith, Monessen, Pa.
Nancy and family- I am so sorry! Conrad was such a great person and so much fun to have around on our diving adventures. My condolences to you all. Joey Vallarian
Nancy and family, please know we are praying for you all, and sending big hugs. We were so sad to hear of this, but we know that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” He will surely be missed and was a great blessing to so many.
Nancy and family, please know we are praying for you all, and sending big hugs. We were so sad to hear of this, but we know that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” He will surely be missed and was a great blessing to so many.
Many special memories of a dear brother in Christ- from Conrad’s lifeguard days at Camp Christian to his service as a fellow minister in the Pittsburgh area. May our great God comfort Nancy and family. Romans 15:13
Nancy and family; Sean, Sophie, Elena and I are so so sorry for your loss. We enjoyed every moment of our time together on our diving trips and will continue to remember and cherish them as well as the both of you and your friendship. Sending love, hugs, and prayers, The Engel Family
Sorry to hear of Conrad’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Nancy, and your family and extended family, Dorothy and Gary. It was so nice to see you last year not knowing that would be the last time we would see Conrad. We know God has you through this time.
I am so deeply saddened to hear this news. Conrad was the best minister ever to serve the Monessen church. My mother loved him dearly and he loved her. He loved every person in the church, and we loved him. I will miss him. Love to you, Nancy, and to Andy, Rachel and their families. I am so sorry, Diane
Conrad was a great person! My sympathies to his family. He will be missed.
Prayers and much love to all who knew and loved Conrad❣️Remembering Camp Christian in the 70’s and pool at Pelc’s! Until we meet again, much love my brother❣️
Prayers to you all…Con was an amazing person! ❤️
You taught me many life lessons. You pointed me to God. You saved my life. You helped make me a good man. You baptized me. You will forever be one of my Heros!! I love you Conrad. Walk in the kingdom of heaven with our lord God
“Never knowing a stranger”
I experienced that first hand! I’m pretty confident Conrad was one of the first people to greet me the first time I went to Oak Grove Christian Church. I can’t explain it exactly, but there was something about Conrad that was comforting. You felt safe around him – as if you could feel his love for Christ emanating off of him towards you. I didn’t know him long, but I’m really going to miss him.
Con will be missed. He was an engaged, interesting, loving person. He was my friend’s little brother who grew up to be a kind and generous man. Comforting thoughts for all the family.
Nancy and family
My deepest sympathy to all. Conrad was a very wonderful man, and will be remembered by all of us. I am blessed I was able to know Conrad.
Our memory of Con and Nancy helping after the hurricane, in so many ways, impacted us. Constant giving, loving, and selfless acts were a blessing to all. Our love to Nancy and beautiful family.
Very sorry to hear the news about Conrad. He was very instramental in finding many patches for Enda Lodge 57. I met him at many patch shows and Conclaves. He will be missed!!
My deepest sympathy to the Auel family. Conrad was such an incredible influence on my life along with Nancy and all the Wilderness Week crew. His unconditional love always pointed me to Jesus in the most tumultuous times of my life. I am so thankful for his and Nancy’s faithful example.
It was a pleasure to know Connie! Getting to know him at Camp Christian as campers, my son Nick going on Wilderness Adventures associated with Camp Christian, Connie and my Dad (Donald Bowers) working together as fellow ministers in the Mon Valley area with their churches getting together for “Singsperations” , Connie being a speaker at Mom and Dads 60th Wedding Anniversary….lots of good memories! I am praying for peace for Nancy and family.
Nancy and family,
So sorry to hear of Con’s passing. We have fond memories of getting to know the two of you through the Peters family. May he rest in God’s peace.
I met Connie at Camp Christian and we became friends, and more importantly, brothers in Christ. Camp Christian provided the basis for a strong bond that would last a lifetime. We would reconnect over the holidays or at my parents’ anniversary celebrations (he and my Dad were both ministers) and take time to update each other and reflect on the past and plans for the future. To Nancy and family, my prayers and heartfelt condolences, as we mourn his passing. And also the joyous celebration of Connie’s life and meeting his Lord in Heaven. What a blessed life that my brother lived….God be praised. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
May you know that Jesus is with you and family. I love you dear sister, please know I am here for you. Conrad was one of the best people I have ever met. I along with many others will miss him. Blessings to you, Kathryn
Nancy and family, we were so sad to hear about Conrad. We know that the good Lord is with you and your family, and He will provide you the comfort that is needed. Know that we are keeping you in our prayers. May Conrad rest in the Glory of God as we know he is. Phil and Maria Giordano
Mrs Auel and family we are so sorry for your loss. Your husband and father was a great man a person to admire and to follow his example
Working with him for many years was always a pleasure. I still remember and will never forget he was the first clergy to show up at allegheny general when Bobby had his accident in highschool. God Bless you and your family are hearts and prayers will with all of you.
I and the Milam family remember Con from his time of ministry at Brick Christian Church, Range Community, outside of Elizabethton, TN where he worked with the youth and remember well his smile, humor and wearing his sandals or flip/flops. God bless Nancy and his family during this difficult time. God bless everyone.
I had the privilege to know Conrad from scouting and memorabilia collecting. He was always kind and genuine with everyone who had the pleasure to meet him. I always looked forward to seeing him at shows and events. May God bless Nancy and his family for your loss. My sympathies go out to you.
Conrad has meant so much to myself and our family over the years for as long as I can remember. Always a kind, energetic, warm welcoming soul. You will be dearly missed.
We are sending our love and support and Prayers for peace.
Through so many of our memories and evidence from so many others lives impacted for good and for the Gospel – A race run well.
So sorry to hear the news. Connie was like a 2nd brother to me and a very cherished Nephew to my Dad Ted. What a loss, as he was a truly great guy. Prayers to Nancy and Dorothy and all. Chris & Sue Auel