CLAFLIN — Michael R. “Mike” Connell, 57, peacefully passed away on Feb. 26, 2013.
He was born on April 11, 1955 in Greeley, Colo., the son of Richard R. and Bonnie L. (Mousel) Connell. He married Belinda Miller on Nov. 29, 1975 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Claflin. She survives.
Mike attended elementary school in Otis. He was a 1974 graduate of Claflin High School and graduated from North Central Technical College in Beloit. Mike previously owned and operated Amoco Gas Station. He was an independent contract pumper. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. Mike had a passion for trapping, hunting, fishing and gardening.
Other survivors include three daughters, Jessica Keeton and husband Mark, Hutchinson; Addie Cullen and husband Jeff; and Becca Duncan and husband Dave, all of Tonganoxie; his parents, a brother, Mark Connell and his wife Kim, Claflin; a sister, Carol McAtee and husband Travis, Lakin; eight grandchildren, Adrian and Molly Cullen, Graecyn, Ellie and Tenley Keeton, and Devin, Elaina and Jack Duncan and several nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Steve Connell in 2010 and grandparents, Leo and Daisy Mousel and Charles and Josephine Connell.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Claflin United Methodist Church with Reverend Gene Langhofer officiating. Burial will follow at Claflin Cemetery.
Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Claflin United Methodist Church with the family present.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Claflin Ambulance Fund or Graft vs. Host Disease Research in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home **
415 N. Main/P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS, 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 28, 2013