Franklin “Don” Connolly, 79, of Modesto died early Friday morning, Dec. 26, 2014, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at Modesto Christian Church in Modesto. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29, at the church.
Private burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Palmyra at a later date. Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Connolly was born on Sept. 26, 1935, in Waverly, the son of the late Oliver and Mae (Watkins) Connolly. He married Kathryn Williams on Dec. 9, 1962, in Modesto, and she survives.
A 1954 graduate of Waverly High School, he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict from 1955 to 1958 and recently took his Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in October. Following his service, he became a security guard for the governor’s office for the state of Illinois, retiring in 1998.
Mr. Connolly was a member of Modesto Christian Church, where he served as church elder, and the Palmyra Masonic Lodge. He loved to golf and spend time with his family.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Lavonne (Richard) Sims of Little Rock, AR, Lynn (Kip) Hohm of Palmyra and Leanne (Bob) Buhnerkemper of Springfield; one son, Scott (April) Connolly of Palmyra; nine grandchildren, Aaron, Connor, Abby, Lindsey, Josh, Shannon, Hailey, Anna and Sydney; two sisters, Frances Bivin of Palmyra and Loretta Schroeder of Farmersville; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Mr. Connolly was preceded in death by two brothers, Tom and Jerry Connolly.
Memorials may be made to Modesto Christian Church or Northwestern Food Pantry, both c/o Stults-Neece Chapel in Palmyra.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.airsman-hires.com.
