Gale V. McConnell

Gale V. McConnell, 86, of Murphysboro, Illinois, passed away at 1:05 a.m. Thursday, August 29, 2013, at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 1, 2013, at Pettett Funeral Home with Rev. Earl Renshaw officiating and friends may call from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Electa and Ruth Chapter # 379 of the Order of Eastern Star, the Alzheimer's Association, the Knights Templar Foundation, or the Masonic Retirement Home. Military services will follow the service and will be conducted by the American Legion Post # 127, V.F.W. Post # 7190, and the Jackson County D.A.V. Chapter # 69. Immediately following the services, Mr. McConnell's body will be cremated. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com. Gale was born on January 18, 1927, in Rock Island, Illinois, to J. Sidney McConnell and Bertha (Schutte) McConnell. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during the World War II. Gale had retired as a grain elevator manager. Mr. McConnell attended the United Methodist Church in Murphysboro. He was a fifty year mason of the Walnut Masonic Lodge # 722, a member of the Lincoln York Rite # 147, a member of the Lincoln Council # 83, and a member of the Constantine Commandery # 51. He was a member of the Electa and Ruth Chapter # 379 of the Order of Eastern Star in Murphysboro, and a life member of the American Legion Post # 259 of Cobden. Gale was an avid Cardinal fan. In his yard, he enjoyed feeding the birds and gardening. Last year he gave all of his daughters flowers to plant, so that they would enjoy them, also. He loved his Jack Russell's, Katie, Lulu, and Annie. He was a very loving father, and he led his family by example--showing good moral character and setting an excellent work ethic. He married Geraldine M. Schultz on January 15, 1955, in Sparland, Illinois, and she survives. Other survivors include three daughters Peggy Homan, Lori Graff and her fiancee Danny Lawson, and Marry Korando and her husband Chris Korando, all of Murphysboro; three grandchildren Angela Wilcoxen and her husband Dan Wilcoxen of Springfield, IL, U.S. Air Force Cpt. Mark Graff and his wife Lana Graff of Azores, Portugal, and Jordan Korando of Murphysboro; four great grandchildren Carly Wilcoxen, Ben Wilcoxen, Emma Wilcoxen, and J. D. Graff; two sisters Shirley Ghitalla of Knoxville, IL and Gloria Andrykowski and her husband Harold Andrykowski of Antioch, IL; one brother in law Michael Schultz and his wife Gerri Schultz of The Colony, TX; lots of nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by one brother in law Jack Ghitalla and his parents.

Gale V. McConnell

January 18, 1927 - August 29, 2013