Mr. McConnell was born March 30, 1927, at Minneola. He graduated from Minneola High School. He joined the Navy and was in the Seabees, stationed on Guam. He graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1951 and was a football All-CIC Conference fullback. He coached high school football, basketball, baseball and track at Grinnell, Hill City and Sedan. He then moved to Salina and was an insurance claims adjuster for Farm Bureau for 25 years. His retirement years were spent enjoying golf at the Elks Country Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Cleo (Christison) McConnell; a brother, Vernon; a sister, Anna Brungardt; a daughter, Marilyn McConnell; and a grandson, Jeremy Boyles.

Survivors include his wife, Joan; four daughters, Tonie Jean Dugan and husband Michael of Topeka, Sandra Miller and husband John of Salina, Kathy Cox of Kansas City, and Karen Boyle and husband Wayne of Salina; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at University United Methodist Church, 1509 S. Santa Fe, Salina, the Rev. David Bolz officiating. Burial will be in Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina.

Memorials may be made to the Marilyn McConnell Memorial Scholarship at Fort Hays State Endowment Association.