Earl J. O'Connell

Mr. Earl J. O'Connell, 78, Harlingen, TX, died Monday, December 9, 2002, at Valley Baptist Medical Center. He was born October 27, 1924, in Bernard, IA, and had lived in Harlingen for many years, moving from the Kansas City area. He served in the United States Navy and was on the destroyer USS Cushing from 1943 to 1945. He was an insurance agent for Great Central Insurance and then was an independent agent. He later worked in the real estate industry. Earl O'Connell was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth. He is survived by daughters, Carol Kladuson of Mission, KS, Kathleen O'Connell of Bluff Dale, TX, and Barbara Crawford of Glen Rose, TX; sister, Pat O'Brien of Peoria, IL; seven grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren. Earl is remembered as a much beloved husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, and a kind and generous friend to many. Visitation will be 12 noon-9 p.m. December 11, at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home, Harlingen, TX, where a Rosary will be said at 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 12, at Assumption Catholic Church, 1300 W. Lincoln Ave., Harlingen, with Father Frank Clancy officiating; burial will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the church. (Arrangements: Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home, Harlingen, TX)