FRONTENAC — Patrick John O’Connell, 86, passed away at 12:40 p.m. on April 14, 2015 at the Medicalodge of Frontenac. He was born March 29, 1929, in Pittsburg, the son of William F. and Mary (Kinsella) O’Connell. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School and later from Pittsburg State University. On June 20, 1954, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Wilson at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. He worked for Cripe Bakery and Junge Baking Company as a route salesman.
Mr. O’Connell served in the United States Marines as a Sergeant during the Korean War, being honorably discharged in August 1953. While in the Marines, he attended EOD School at Indian Head, Maryland and Ordnance School at Quantico, Virginia. He was awarded “Letter of Appreciation” and “Letter of Commendation with Commendation Ribbon and Metal Pendant.
Mr. O’Connell was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis O’Connell of the home; a son, Sean O’Connell and his wife Kindra of Pittsburg; four daughters, Michelle Rondeau and her husband, Mark of Great Bend, Maureen Hughes and her husband, William of Joplin, Mo., Milissa Brunetti and her husband, Rick of Topeka, and Jennifer Brunetti and her husband, Lee of Frontenac; a brother, Thomas O’Connell of Tulsa, Okla.; 15 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; two sisters; and a grandson, Nicholas Brunetti.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Fr. Thomas Stroot as celebrant. The parish rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Brenner Mortuary in Pittsburg where the family will receive friends following the rosary until 7:30 p.m. The family suggests memorials to the Ronald McDonald House of Joplin, Mo. in care of the funeral home. Friends may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com.
 
Funeral arrangements provided by
Brenner Mortuary**
114 East 4th St.
Pittsburg, KS 66762
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 16, 2015