Obituary for Donald "Red" L. O'Connell
Donald “Red” L. O’Connell, age 87, peacefully went to Heaven as he was surrounded by his family on November 20, 2023, after a brief illness. Don was born to parents, Lester and Shirley (Covill) O’Connell, on October 17, 1936, in Wisconsin.
He attended Winneconne High School, Class of 1954, where he played football, basketball, and baseball and was a member of Future Farmers of America. During high school, he was a milk hauler to help his father and then later for a good friend. After high school he went to work for A & P Whitehouse Milk, and became a milk inspector, which led him to owning his own business in Dairy Equipment Sales for 32 years.
On July 7, 1956, he married the love of his life Marlene (Harrison), at Grace Lutheran Church in Winchester, Wisconsin. Together they were able to celebrate 67 wonderful years together.
Don was an avid fan of all Wisconsin sports teams. His love of sports allowed him to go to many games, and he played on the Winneconne Aces basketball team, and the Poygan Baseball hardball team.
He was also an avid hunter, boater, and fisherman and a lover of water and nature. He enjoyed woodworking, which included making birdhouses. Don was always ready to plant his garden early in the spring.
He was always out and about, he would attend weekend festivals, especially chicken bar-b-q’s, watching parades, taking trips to the casino, traveling with his wife, and playing cards with family, friends, and card club.
Don was a member of the Winnebago County Fair Board and the Winneconne Historical Society. Don enjoyed the preservation project of the steam boathouse, and giving tours.
He is survived by his wife, Marlene; his three children, Shaun (Cheryl) O’Connell, Tenee’ (Craig) Angelo, and Darby (Bryon K.) O’Connell; three grandchildren, Jason (Robin) O’Connell, Stacey (Tony) Farley, and Abigail Tritt; and eight great-grandchildren, Tyler, Devon, Morghan, Peyton, Karl, David, Sam, and Ila Mae; two great-great-grandchildren; brothers, David (Joyce) O’Connell, and Wendell O’Connell; and many other close family and friends.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Lester and Shirley O’Connell, siblings, Joe O’Connell and Larry O’Connell; and parents-in-law, Herbert and Emma Harrison; sister-in-law, Wilhemina (Nello) Petronzio; and many other family members.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff at Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, and Compassus Home Health Care, for their exceptional care given during their time of need.
A Celebration of Life has been held. A memorial has been established by the family in his honor.
He attended Winneconne High School, Class of 1954, where he played football, basketball, and baseball and was a member of Future Farmers of America. During high school, he was a milk hauler to help his father and then later for a good friend. After high school he went to work for A & P Whitehouse Milk, and became a milk inspector, which led him to owning his own business in Dairy Equipment Sales for 32 years.
On July 7, 1956, he married the love of his life Marlene (Harrison), at Grace Lutheran Church in Winchester, Wisconsin. Together they were able to celebrate 67 wonderful years together.
Don was an avid fan of all Wisconsin sports teams. His love of sports allowed him to go to many games, and he played on the Winneconne Aces basketball team, and the Poygan Baseball hardball team.
He was also an avid hunter, boater, and fisherman and a lover of water and nature. He enjoyed woodworking, which included making birdhouses. Don was always ready to plant his garden early in the spring.
He was always out and about, he would attend weekend festivals, especially chicken bar-b-q’s, watching parades, taking trips to the casino, traveling with his wife, and playing cards with family, friends, and card club.
Don was a member of the Winnebago County Fair Board and the Winneconne Historical Society. Don enjoyed the preservation project of the steam boathouse, and giving tours.
He is survived by his wife, Marlene; his three children, Shaun (Cheryl) O’Connell, Tenee’ (Craig) Angelo, and Darby (Bryon K.) O’Connell; three grandchildren, Jason (Robin) O’Connell, Stacey (Tony) Farley, and Abigail Tritt; and eight great-grandchildren, Tyler, Devon, Morghan, Peyton, Karl, David, Sam, and Ila Mae; two great-great-grandchildren; brothers, David (Joyce) O’Connell, and Wendell O’Connell; and many other close family and friends.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Lester and Shirley O’Connell, siblings, Joe O’Connell and Larry O’Connell; and parents-in-law, Herbert and Emma Harrison; sister-in-law, Wilhemina (Nello) Petronzio; and many other family members.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff at Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, and Compassus Home Health Care, for their exceptional care given during their time of need.
A Celebration of Life has been held. A memorial has been established by the family in his honor.