Larry M. O'Connell

Larry M. O’Connell, age 77 of Del City, entered into eternal rest on the afternoon of Thursday, May 16, 2013. He was born to James Francis O’Connell and Charlie Mae (Moore) Harwell on December 7, 1935. Larry graduated from Seminole High School in 1954, before attending Bradley University in Illinois. He continued his education by taking college level courses at Tinker Air Force Base and Rose State College. He married Marjorie Ann Love on May 11, 1957, in Oklahoma City. Larry was a proud member of the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged after twenty years of dedicated service during which he served during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam and saw service in Japan and Thailand. After retiring from the Air Force, Larry worked for Baptist Medical Center as a Biomedical Engineer and later for Digital Development Corporation, where he worked as an Electrical Engineer. Larry also founded and operated LOMO, LLC, a real estate holdings company. Family and friends were Larry’s passion and delight. He grew up spending summers and vacations with his family. He loved to teach all of his grandchildren everything he knew about work and life. He also had a passion for community and served as Del City Councilman for Ward 2, from December of 2001 to April of 2009. While a councilman, Larry oversaw completion of the new City Hall, Eagle Park pool and park, May 3rd tornado reconstruction, and the new police station and municipal court building. He also was a Trustee on the Del City Economic Development Authority, and on the board of the Del City Chamber of Commerce. Larry was also very involved with his faith and his church, Del City Christian Church where he was a Deacon Emeritus. Larry was a dedicated member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Mason of the State of Illinois, Schiller Lodge No. 335. He was a 32 degree Mason and was recognized with the 50-year service pin by the Peoria Heights Lodge in 2002. His parents; brothers, Steve Harwell, Charles 'Smokey' O'Connell, James 'Corky' O'Connell; and sister, Jean O'Connell, preceded Larry in death. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Marjorie O'Connell of Del City; daughters and sons-in-law, Marcy and Bob Flaniken; Linda and Xavier Neira; grandchildren,Aysha Marie Fitzgerald, James Brendon Martin Fitzgerald, Taylor B. Hale (Emily), Madison W. White (James), Alexandra Neira.; great-grandchildren, Bradlee Fitzgerald, Kimberlyn Fitzgerald, Karma Fitzgerald, Kassie Fitzgerald, Ella White, Shannon Marie White; sistersCarolyn Alexander of Mustang, Linda Sue Cook of Moore; brother and sister-in-law, Pat and Audrey O'Connell of Rock Springs, WY; other relatives and many friends. Larry will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. Viewing will be at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague on Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM; Monday, 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM; and at Del City Christian Church from 10:00 AM until service time on Tuesday. Memorials may be made in Larry's name to the American Heart Association. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 1:00 PM , at Del City Christian Church in Del City with Rev. Wes Collier officiating. Interment will follow at the Prague Cemetery at 4:00 PM with full military honors.