Maurice Bert John O'Connell

Bert was born September 8, 1924 in Chicago to Michael James and Mary Bridget “Mollie” (Enright) O’Connell

He married Lillie “Pat” Daugherty September 13, 1947 in Peoria.

Bert was raised at Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Childrens School from the age of 5 and attended U-High School, Normal, IL. He entered the Navy in 1942 and was on board the D.E. Wm. E. Miller serving in the Southern Pacific Theater. After being discharged from the Navy in 1946 he worked for Banner Bread in Normal until 1962 when he then went to work for ISU until retiring in 1986. Bert loved to bowl, fish, golf and attend family reunions.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years and three children: Michael (Connie Lage) O’Connell of Bloomington, Paulette (Bernie) Latta of Bloomington and Patrick (Kathleen) O’Connell; grandchildren: Patricia Moore, Alison (James) Kristoff, twins Kate and Erin O’Connell and four great-grandchildren: Martin Santos, Joe Santos, Clayton Moore and Danielle Moore; brothers: Michael O’Connell of Kansas City, MO and Dan O’Connell of Miami FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister: Margaret Engstrom and one brother: Thomas O’Connell.

Services were private.