St. Simons Island,

Mr. Richard P. Connell, age 82, of St. Simons Island, died Friday, January 20, 2017, in Meadows Park Health and Rehabilitation in Vidalia, after an extended illness.  He was born in the Bear Creek Community in Montgomery County, and at the age fifteen joined the U.S. Army, and remained there until his parents were able to locate him.  When he became of age, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, was there for several years, and soon after, joined the U.S. Navy where he retired as Chief Petty Officer with a combined service of twenty-two years.  After his military career, he moved to Vermont, retired from the U.S. Postal Service after twenty years, and has lived on St. Simons since 2002.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille Robert Connell; parents, Arizona and Claudie Bell Brady Connell; and siblings, Hershel Connell, Betty Bryant, and A.Z. “Junior” Connell.

Mr. Connell is survived by three children, Ernest Patrick Connell of Burlington, Vermont, Ann Connell of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Mary Ogershok and husband Ed of Lake Dallas, Texas; two grandchildren, Jennifer Schollmeyer and husband Ian Metcalf and their daughter Lucille of Winooski, Vermont, and Brenda of Dallas, Texas; three sisters, Nadene Foster, Rebecca Miller and husband Ken, all of Vidalia, and Janice Connell of Soperton; three brothers, Neal Connell and wife Karen of Vidalia, Bobby Connell of Lyons, and Tommy Connell and wife Vicki of Statesboro; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held Monday, January 23rd at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Reverend Owen Waters officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday morning from 10:00 until just prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the VFW Post 4092, 300 Windward Drive, St. Simons Island GA 31522.

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