Charles Joseph Connell

Charles Joseph Connell, 95, of Irving Texas (formerly of Mount Prospect, Illinois) passed away peacefully on 10/9/2021 at Vitas Hospice Unit, Carrollton Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness.

Charles was born August 24, 1926 to Charles John and Margaret Morgan Connell. He attended Saint Patrick’s grade school and Cedar Falls High School. He attended Northern Iowa University (then Iowa State Teachers College) for two years. In 1945 he

joined the United States Army and served in World War II for two years. He then attended and received his Business degree from the University of Iowa where he was a lead member of the Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) Fraternity.

Chuck was then employed by Iowa Sports Supply, CIT Financial and the latter part of his career was spent as an Executive Leader at Mutual of Omaha. After retirement he was associated with Northwestern University for many years. He was a charter member of the Amvets, helped build their Cedar Falls Post, and served as Vice Commander. He was also a member of the American Legion and associated with many insurance groups.

In1958 Chuck married Joanne Smith in Detroit, Michigan. They were transferred to Illinois in 1963 where they lived for over 40 years. His favorite hobby was golfing at the Mount Prospect Country Club. He also loved to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes football games and any sporting event, mostly golf, football and tennis.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joanne, daughter, Jill Connell White, grandchildren Nicholas and Katherine White and many beloved nieces and nephews. He adored these two special grandchildren and spent hours telling them family stories and focusing on important topics like staying out of debt, checking your tires and changing your oil. He also focused on topics of hard work and staying positive which he liked to post in “Peanuts” cartoons. His grandchildren, nieces and nephews saw him as the “legend of Connell history and knowledge”. He was the pillar of family reunions and gatherings where he was the source of family history. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, father-in-law and friend.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents and brothers: Phil (Isabel Ward), Jim (Anne Stewart), and sisters: Jane (Richard) Nehlsen, Margaret Ann (Tom) Benda, Mary (Grant) Davis and nieces Mary Elizabeth Kramer, Judith Davis, Margaret Connell, nephew Dennis Benda and son-in-law Gregory White.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Interment will also take place at a later date at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church Columbarium. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, Farmers Branch, Texas or Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, Texas (in honor of Katie White’s early onset of arthritis).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rollingoaksfuneralhome.com for the Connell family.