John H. McConnel Sr.

1932 - 2022

John H. McConnel, Sr.
Born: July 5, 1932
Died: October 11, 2022 in Savanna, Illinois
John died on October 11th, 2022, at Big Meadows nursing home of old age.
John was born on July 5th, 1932, in Holbrook, Nebraska. He is preceded in death by his wife Venita; parents, Jesse and Lucille McConnel; Sister Dee (Skov) and her husband Leonard.
John was in the Army during the Korean War. If fact he met the love of his life at a USO dance. He married Venita (Stanfill) McConnel on April 4th, 1954, at Brookside Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. John graduated from Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana with degrees in English and Literature.
He began his professional career in Chicago, Illinois as Editor at Christian Life Magazine. He would later work for various other publications, including one he created called Mid-Moteler. After serving as Publisher of a magazine he changed his course to magazine ad sales, even selling ads for a metal finishing magazine which had many customers in the defense industry.
John and Venita moved to Wauconda, Illinois where they raised their children, John and Dee Dee, were both very active in local politics, and enjoyed the friendship of many wonderful people. While he was an Editor for RV Dealer Magazine, John was able to take his family on many vacations using RV's that he would then write about. He was the first to drive a motorhome up Pike's Peak in Colorado!
John often regaled people with stories of attending, but more importantly entertaining clients, at many conventions throughout the years. One annual convention in Pennsylvania where one of the exhibitors would lead convention goers on a march through the pool playing his bagpipes. He had an incredible sense of humor and was a great storyteller. His jokes were renowned, and his stories enthralled all whom he told them to. He truly blessed the lives of those who got to know him.
After retirement, John and Venita moved to the quaint town of Mt. Carroll where they thoroughly enjoyed small town life. They joined and became active in the First Baptist Church. The Church became an extended family to them and inspired their faith. John became Deacon and enjoyed those duties for a number of years. Following Venita's passing the Church and especially Pastor Steve Newell became ever more important providing the spiritual sustenance he needed.
John loved to fish, hunt, garden, read, and travel. He was the consummate fisherman and sharpshooter which helped him bag numerous pheasants, squirrels, rabbits, and even a deer once later in life. After that, he decided that he was too old to be hauling deer around and never hunted them again.
John is survived by his son John Jr. (Robin), daughter Dolores (Mark) Wilgenbusch, grandchildren Amy Amundson, Sean (Sherrie), Megan, Diane Lou (Kevin) Schmidt, great grandchildren Georgean, Rose, and Aria McConnel. And Michael Ikechukwu, who John loved like a grandson.