Travis Funeral Chapel

Juanita McConnell was born Juanita Beryl Young on March 8, 1942, the second child of seven, to Burl L and Lola A (Strayer) Young, in Hazel Park, Michigan.

The family moved to Wauseon, OH then on to Lynchburg, MO where they settled. Mrs. McConnell attended Lebanon High School graduating in 1960. Soon after graduation, she moved to Kansas City, MO where she worked for National Bell & Hess and an Optical company.

On a blind date, arranged by Bob and Irene Ausmus, Mrs. McConnell met her husband of 56 years, Guy Leroy McConnell, an Air Traffic Controller, hailing from LaPlata, MO. The two married April 14, 1962 and moved to Gardener, Kansas where they started their family.

In 1966 Mr. McConnell was transferred to the Chicago Air Traffic Control Center in Aurora, IL, resulting in the family moving to Maple Park, IL then onto Hinckley, IL. In Hinckley, Mrs. McConnell made many lifelong friends, attended the Hinckley United Methodist Church, served as a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Girl Scout Leader and participated in many community activities.

In 1976 the family move to LaPlata, MO and built the home where Mr. & Mrs. McConnell have lived for the past 43 years. With her husband, Mrs. McConnell began a furniture restoration business, Wild Rose Antiques. As in Illinois, Mrs. McConnell was active in the community, was a longtime member of the Seibert Extension Club, and the LaPlata Garden Club, and was active in Mountain Man re-enactments with her family and friends.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Burl and Lola Young, two brothers Leroy Young and Roger Young and two sisters, Shirley Young and Carolyn McKinnion.

Surviving are her husband Guy McConnell; two children Allen (Diane) McConnell of Sturgeon, MO, Teresa (David) Sandison of Columbia, MO; three grandchildren Rachel (Danny) Tran of Florissant, MO, Katye (Nate) Newhouse of Champaign, IL, Savanna Sandison of Columbia, MO; two brothers Tom (Lori) Young of Fruitland, ID, Billy (Lynene) Young of Gold Bar, WA; several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 4, 2019 at Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri. Officiating will be Pastor Terry Hunsaker. Music selections include, “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” and “As The Deer” both performed by Granddaughters, Rachel Tran and Katye Newhouse and Piano selection “Energico (Energy)” performed by Great Grandson Kaden Tran. Burial will be in the Locust Hill Cemetery near Novelty, Missouri. Pallbearers will be Danny Tran, Nate Newhouse, Mike Snyder, Marty McConnell, Bobby Baker, and Randy McBride.

Visitation will be Sunday, February 3, 2019 with the family receiving friends from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Travis Funeral Chapel.

Memorials in memory of Juanita McConnell may be made to Locust Hill Cemetery. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, Missouri 63549.