Hershel Ray McConnell

Hershel Ray “Mac” McConnell, 87 of Muskogee, entered Heaven’s gates Friday September 13, 2019, surrounded by his family. He was born June 19, 1932 in Monroe, Oklahoma to Walter F. and Ophia Mae (Gann) McConnell. He grew up and attended the public schools in Monroe. On December 1, 1952, Hershel enlisted with the United States Navy. He served his country faithfully during the Korean Conflict and later received an Honorable Discharge. Hershel married the love of his life, Evelyn Rose Hasse, on May 18, 1953 in Phoenix, Arizona. Together, they have shared over 66 years of life and marriage. His professional career included being a sales representative for Guy’s Foods for many years and then later working at Hilldale Public Schools, retiring in 1997 with many years of service to the schools. Hershel’s hobbies included woodworking, drawing cartoon characters, fishing, hunting, and being a shade tree mechanic. He enjoyed being a jack of all trades and was known to be self-taught in most anything he did. His family recalls that he dreamed of someday being a pilot and that he most of all loved Christmas and other holidays because he was surrounded by his family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ophia McConnell; and his brothers, Roy and Carl McConnell. Hershel is survived by his wife, Evelyn of the home; his children, Roy McConnell and wife Sandy of Glenpool, OK, Janet Webb and husband Andy of Muskogee, Joyce Cox and husband Mike of Pryor, OK, and Ronald McConnell of Phoenix, AZ; his sister, Helen Steele of Fort Gibson, OK; grandchildren, Deonna McCaleb, Brandon McConnell, Elyce Holloway, Kristen Wright, Shelby Perry, Andrew Webb, Michael Cox Jr. and Matthew Cox; 14 great grandchildren with another on the way; 2 great great grandchildren; numerous other family members and many friends. Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 19, 2019 at Fort Gibson National Cemetery with Dr. Mike Cox, Reverend Brandon McConnell and Reverend Andy Webb officiating. Military Honors will be presented. Funeral services are under the direction of Cornerstone Funeral Home and Crematory, 1830 North York Street, Muskogee, OK. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.cornerstoneofmuskogee.com. The family wishes to give special thanks to Physician’s Choice Hospice, Leeanna Garcia of Community Home Health, Inc., and Cornerstone Funeral Home and Crematory.

Hershel Ray McConnell

June 19, 1932 - September 13, 2019