Richard O'Connell, 81

Richard John O'Connell, 81, of Montgomery, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

Richard was born at his home in Derrynane Township on January 1, 1927, a son of Robert and Margaret (Benzick) O'Connell. He attended country school and entered the U.S. Navy on March 5, 1945, serving in Okinawa on the USS Zaniah.  He was discharged on August 19, 1946, and returned to the Montgomery area.  Richard married Loretta Kline at St. Thomas on September 6, 1947, and they farmed for 20 years. He then worked as a carpenter for Fahning Homes in Waterville, and also at MVE in New Prague and Northstar Auto Auction in Shakopee. He was a member of the American Legion and enjoyed traveling. He had visited six of the seven continents, all 50 states and many countries. Richard was also a sports fan and enjoyed fishing.

He is survived by his wife; children Dennis, Edina, Becky (Bob) Block, Montgomery, Vickie O'Connell and Dave Schlingmann, Mankato, and Lori Gregor, Prior Lake; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister and brother-in-law Adeline and Clarence Krava.

Funeral services were held at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in St. Thomas on Friday Dec. 19, at 10 a.m.  Burial was at the St. Thomas Church Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Montgomery Area Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation was held at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m., and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

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