L. Dean McConnell
Lewis Dean McConnell, Marshfield, was born October 29, 1939, to Orval and Mabel (Dodsworth) McConnell in Kirksville, Missouri. He departed this life August 17, 2025, at 8:55 a.m., at the age of 85 years.
Dean attended Hazel Green One Room Elementary School in Adiar County, Missouri, Benton Jr. High School in Kirksville, Missouri, Mount Zion Bible School from 1953-1954. He began attending Kirksville Bible School in 1955 and graduated in 1958. He was united in marriage to Ardena Marcyle Dockum, June 17, 1958, in Kirksville, Missouri.
Dean had many occupations including farming in Missouri and Iowa, residential construction, power plant apprentice in Kansas, hospital maintenance supervisor in Kirksville, LP gas bulk plant manager in Brashear, Missouri. He was the owner of Dean’s Electric and Plumbing in Mansfield, Missouri. He was an over the road truck driver in the early 1960’s and again in the mid 1980’s. He was an independent contractor specializing in residential housing from the 1980’s – 1990’s. He enjoyed restoring antique tractors, trucks and farm related equipment until his health would no longer allow him to continue.
Dean attended Adult Vo-tech School studying HVAC – he later used many times on the job. He constructed a log house in Wright County, Missouri, from Native Oak logs which he harvested himself, completing every aspect of construction himself except the basement excavation. He restored more than thirty cars, trucks, and tractors in his lifetime.
Dean served the Lord his adult life and was attending Fordland Freewill Baptist Church until declining health. He was supportive in the Lord’s work in several ways, including contributing his work skills and talent in any church he attended.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Mabel McConnell.
He is survived by his wife, Ardena McConnell of the home; two children, Renata and Larry Archer of Marshfield, Monty and Jana McConnell of Marshfield; grandchildren, Alisha, Shona and husband Andy, Shane, Jeremy, Josh and Alicia; great-grandchildren, Gracie, Owen, Elise, Jonathan, Dustin, Luke, and Abby; and a sister, Eula Mae Clouse of Springfield, MO.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., in the chapel of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc, Marshfield, Missouri.
Visitation will be before services Wednesday from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., in the funeral home.
Interment will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, under the direction of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., Marshfield, Missouri.