EARL MCCONNELL obituary

GILDFORD - Earl T. McConnell, 85, of Gildford died Sunday, June 19, 2005, of natural causes at a private care home near Havre.

Per his request, his body will be cremated. A memorial service is planned for the near future.

Earl was born June 2, 1920, in Pennsyl-vania. He received his education there and excelled in track-and-field during his high school years.

He served in the U.S. military during World War II and the Korean conflict. Following his discharge, he lived in Arizona and New Mexico, where he worked in construction.

Earl moved to Montana in the early 1970s. He made his home in Havre, where he helped build homes at the nearby reservations.

While in Havre, he met is wife-to-be, Jeane Louise Kaiser. They were married Oct. 28, 1975. They continued to live in Havre for a few years, then purchased a home in Gildford. Earl worked as a private painter and carpenter in the community until his eyesight failed. In his retirement years, he worked part time as a bartender at the Gildford Bar.

Earl's wife, Jeane, died Aug. 23, 1999 after being accidentally struck by an automobile in Gildford. Earl continued to live in their Gildford home until three weeks ago, when he moved to the Nardo Ranch Care Home near Havre for extended care. He had suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other ailments during the past few years.

Earl was an exceptional wood-worker. He loved his pet dogs.

His survivors include his brother, George McConnell of Kingsville, Ohio; several nephews and nieces; and several good friends in the Gildford community who looked after him.

Local arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester.