Otis Gerald McConnell, 86, Beaver Dam, Ky., passed away Thursday, July 4, 2013, at Owensboro Medical Health System. He was born May 30, 1927, to the late Otis and Chloe(Rafferty) McConnell of McHenry.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a military policeman during WWII. He retired as a supervisor for Union Tank Car Company of Whiting, Indiana with 30 years of service. Otis was an avid flea-market seller and buyer. The entire McConnell family wishes to apologize to anyone that our father skinned, flim-flammed or otherwise cheated through his years of knife trading and flea-marketing. In addition, we want to say that we are not responsible or liable for his actions. He will always be remembered for his vivid and entertaining storytelling. He will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jean (Austin) McConnell, her son Rick McConnell, son-in-law David Cranford and numerous brothers and sisters.
Loving father to daughter, Dixie Cranford of Indiana and son, Chuck (Pat) McConnell of South Carolina; beloved “Pap” to four grandchildren, Chris (Diane) Cranford of South Carolina, Caryn Cranford (Rick) Tolin of Ohio, Jennifer (McConnell) Bredemier of South Carolina and Zachary (Mindy) McConnell of Indiana; eight great-grandchildren, Jason (Liz) Cranford of North Carolina, Amber Cranford of South Carolina, Joshus Cranford of South Carolina, Olivia and Abigail Tolin of Ohio, Hannah Bredemeier of South Carolina and Aiden and Noah McConnell of Indiana. Also survived by brother, Orville (late Stacye) McConnell of Florida, brother-in-law Clarence William (Coleen) Austin of Florida, sister-in-law, Doreen Austin of Indiana, numerous nieces and nephews and neighbor/good friend, Bob Young.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Bevil Bros. Funeral Home in Beaver Dam. Private graveside services will be held at Sunnyside Cemetery in Beaver Dam. The family requests expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the Otis G. McConnell Memorial Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to bevilbrosfuneralhomes.com.