|
~Keith McConnell~
HALLETTSVILLE: Keith Alvin McConnell, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the age of 80. He was born on September 16, 1945, in Lorain, Ohio to the late Alvin H. and Ruth (Stang) McConnell. After graduating high school in Lorain, Keith attended Ohio University where he met his wife, Joanne. Shortly after graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps and began Officer Candidate School. He was deployed to Vietnam and served as a combat artist. Upon returning home, Keith and Joanne relocated to California, and he remained in the Marines Corps as a reservist where he joined the public affairs unit. When not serving his country, he applied his skills creating art including three Beach Boys album covers and nine Marine Corps "Toys for Tots" posters, which are still in use to this day. He also worked as a courtroom artist for both ABC and CBS. Keith shared his talents with others as an instructor at Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. He would later be called up to serve in Operation Desert Storm, again as a combat artist. Keith retired from the Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel. Always wanting to learn and challenge himself, he went back to school after returning home and became a registered nurse working as both a psych nurse and operating room nurse. Upon retirement in 2002, he and Joanne relocated to Washington in the tranquil community of Port Ludlow. While there, he was introduced to fly fishing and enjoyed tying his own flies. Keith was an avid reader and devout Christian. He had many passions, but none greater than his family. After the birth of their grandchildren, Keith and Joanne would spend much of the year in Texas so he could enjoy his role as grandfather. Keith is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joanne, and his loving children: Heather Lundy (Robert), Brett McConnell (Yvonne) and Amber Elgindy (Joe). He is also survived by his grandchildren Lauren and Trinity Lundy, and Kennedy and Summer Elgindy as well as his sister Kelly Yamauchi and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Kraig McConnell and Kirk McConnell. A visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2026, at Thiele Cooper Funeral Home. Service will be held at 10:30, Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Hallettsville Methodist Church with Pastor Patrick Melton officiating. Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
|