Milo Mcconnell

Milo G. "Mike" McConnell, 73, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, after a lengthy illness.

Milo was born on February 25, 1935, in Decatur County, Iowa, the son of Alva and Olive (Hall) McConnell, one of eleven children.

He was raised in the southeastern Iowa area and graduated from Van Wert High School. Milo served in the U.S. Army from February 1954 to January 1957, serving part of that time in Germany.

On August 15, 1958, he married Darlene Ina Nelson in Lincoln, Nebraska, and five children were born. They lived in Des Moines where he began his career with the post office in 1961. They then moved to Atlantic where he finished his 32 year career in 1992. With his father-in-law, he built their current home north of Atlantic which they moved into in 1967.

He was a Union Steward, President of the Atlantic Postal Union and a member of the U.S Postal Union.

Mike was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and served on the church board. He helped with recording and broadcasting the services at church for many years.

He enjoyed fishing with his grandkids, being involved in his card club for 37 years, playing cards with his family, gardening, bird watching, building furniture for his grandkids and visiting his friends in rehab.

Mike is survived by his wife, Darlene of Atlantic, Iowa; his children, Michael (Mary Ann) McConnell of Atlantic, Iowa, Joni (Charlie) Hartman of Belton, Missouri, Dana (Lori) McConnell of Atlantic, Iowa, and Julie (Darren) Hall of Belton, Missouri; his 11 grandchildren, Janet, Stephanie and Sandy Juhl, Michelle and Samantha McConnell, Mike, Kristen and Brittney Hartman, Garrett McConnell, Megan (Zach) Reque and Tiffany Kuhns; his 2 great-grandchildren, Anna Juhl and Jonathan Reque; his brothers, Roy McConnell of Altoona, Iowa, Dannie (Dianne) McConnell of Alta, New Mexico, Larrie (Elaine) McConnell of Coaldale Alberta, Canada, Lester McConnell of Espanola, New Mexico, and Carl Joe (Shari) McConnell of Vista, California; his brothers-in-law, Bill Carson, Bob (Alma) Blazek, Walter McCurdy and Clifford (Peggy) Nelson; sisters-in-law, Mattie McConnell and Phyllis Sheer; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alva and Olive McConnell; his daughter, Carla Jean McConnell in infancy; his sisters, Sylvia McConnell, Fern Carson, Lorene Blazek and June McCurdy; his parents-in-law, Ted Nelson and Ina Ernest; his sister-in-law, Margaret McConnell; his brother, Bob McConnell; and brother-in-law, Edwin Sheer.

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2008, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 9, 2008, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa, with The Reverend Ken Davidson officiating.

Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery in Atlantic, Iowa. Following the committal service family and friends are invited to share lunch and memories in the Zion Lutheran Church fellowship hall.

Memorials may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.