Connie Shea

She was born on June 16, 1935, to Elsie and Howser Neece in Jacksonville, Illinois. Connie married Donald “Don” Shea on May 25, 1957, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield. They were married for 47 years.

Connie graduated from Lanphier High School and worked at Horace Mann Insurance Company until she and Don started their family. She returned to work at several companies before retiring from Springfield School District 186. Later, Connie spent 15 years in the Kansas City area before returning to Springfield in 2021.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; two grandsons, Alexander and Andrew Manning; her parents; her three sisters; and two brothers.

Connie is survived by two sons, Tim (Barb) Shea of Springfield, and Mark (Betsy Heartfield) Shea of Colorado and Florida; daughters, Ronda (Randy) Pezza of Naples, FL, and Kelly (Mark) Manning of TN; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren – all who were her and Don’s (Papa) greatest source of joy, Abby (Austin) Ritzman, Zack (Geneva Magness) Zillner, Ben (Marley Fradley) Manning, Chelsea Zillner, Jake Shea, and Joshua, Eleanor, and Charlie Ritzman; and several nieces and nephews.

She enjoyed the company of her many friends in Springfield and Kansas City. She was a vibrant, friendly, kind, and caring wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and neighbor—and a phenomenal fudge maker! She had a clever sense of humor and an infectious laugh that was always at its brightest as she delighted in the company of her grandkids.

Our mom loved and was immensely proud of her family above all else. We are all lucky to call her mom, grandma, aunt, and friend. Rest in Peace mom, you’ve earned it.

Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial: Family will receive friends at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1930 Barberry Dr., Springfield, until the time of the mass at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Alex McCullough, celebrant.

Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.