Connie M. Connell

Connie M. Connell, 92, of Monmouth, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Henderson County Retirement Center in Stronghurst, Illinois.

Born on March 26, 1933, in Monmouth, Connie was the daughter of Paul A. and Martha Louise (Smith) Olson. Raised and educated in her hometown, she graduated from Monmouth High School in 1951 and later attended the Bradley University Conservatory of Music in Peoria. Her lifelong passion for music brought her many cherished opportunities, including performing as a marimba player at Soldier Field in Chicago as part of a 100-Marimba Band in 1951 and appearing at numerous fairs and events, such as the Chicago Railroad Fair.

Connie’s deep faith was central to her life. A member of the United Methodist Church of Gladstone, she also attended the First Christian Church of Monmouth and later the Heritage Bible Church in Monmouth. She devoted many years to teaching children’s Sunday School and leading Children’s Fellowship for 23 years, as well as guiding an Adult Bible Study class for 18 years. She cherished time spent with her family, enjoyed gardening, and spent 17 winters in Arizona with her husband.

She is survived by her children, Tammy (Todd) Conard Patterson of Rockford, Illinois, Torrey (Patricia) Conard of West Chicago, Illinois, and Tab (Candy) Conard of Monmouth, Illinois; stepchildren Jim (Vicky) Connell of Monmouth, Steve (Amy) Connell of Crystal Lake, Illinois, Linda (Jim) Lee of Surprise, Arizona, and Pamela (Peter) Gransee of Chandler, Arizona; stepdaughter-in-law Brenda Dulaney Connell of Spring Lake, Michigan; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James Douglas Connell, her son Tyrone Conard, and her stepsons Dan Connell and Larry Connell.