Darrell E. Connell
June 7, 1948 - March 9, 2024
Darrell Eugene Connell, age 75, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the Carriage Square Rehab & Healthcare Center in St. Joseph, MO.
Darrell was born on June 7, 1948, in Burlington, IA. On June 6, 1971, he was united in marriage to Anita Alice Cribb.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Theodore and Neva Nolte; mother, Lorraine (Nolte) Lee; and sister, Shirley Lee.
Surviving are three children and their spouses, Lori and Rob Albright, Darin and Kelly Connell, and Duane and Tracy Connell; seven grandchildren, Grant, Leah, Lanna, Shiloh, Victor, Bradley, and Andrew; five siblings and their spouses/fiancé, Teresa Lee and Jerry Reese, Gary and Debbie Lee, Brenda Lee, Donna and Mike Ford, and Mike Lee; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Darrell grew up on his grandparents’ farm near Elmer, MO where he attended Murry School. At the age of 10, he moved to the farm northeast of Atlanta, MO with his mother, Lorraine and stepfather, Dwight Lee. Darrell planted, cultivated, and harvested various crops, tended to livestock, and worked on farm machinery while attending Oak Grove School and La Plata High School, where he graduated in 1966. After graduation, Darrell moved to St. Louis, MO to work at McDonnell Douglas Corporation. There he was proud to help build components for the F-4 Phantom Jet and space capsules.
During his life, Darrell also worked as a plumber, truck driver, factory worker, farm hand, heating and air conditioning technician, salesman, and owner/operator of a bottled gas delivery business and had been employed at Truman State University as a boiler operator. In the early 80’s he began transforming the former Oak Grove School building into a home for him and his three children.
Darrell loved attending the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mount Pleasant, IA. One of his fondest memories was a trip there with the Halstead family. He enjoyed talking with people, gardening, reading, watching movies, fishing, and he loved music, especially classic country and bluegrass.
Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, MO. Burial will be in Mt. Tabor Cemetery, east of Atlanta, MO. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Tabor Cemetery. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, MO 63549.
