Daniel E. O'Connell

Daniel E. O’Connell, 83, of Bridgman, passed away, Friday, January 13, 2012 at his home surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 3903 Lake St., Bridgman, with Fr. Arthur Howard officiating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, St. Joseph with military rites conducted by the North Berrien Military Rites Team. Friends may call Monday from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. with The Rosary recited at 7:00 P.M. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Twin-City Area Catholic School Fund or the Benton Harbor Girls Association. Those wishing to sign Daniel’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Daniel was born on January 21st, 1928 in Chicago to James A. O’Connell and Lillian Casey O’Connell. He grew up on the family farm in Baroda, Michigan which his parents tended with his aunt and uncle. The family helped found Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Bridgman where Daniel was an usher for many years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 1120. He graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1947. Daniel served in the United States Army, took part in the Korean conflict and was a member of The American Legion, Bridgman Post 331. On November 9th, 1957 Daniel married Dorothy Flood Jonatzke at St. John’s Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. Together they raised seven children on the family farm in Baroda. He was a member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 357 was an employee of City Plumbing in St. Joseph for more than thirty years and retired in 1993. Daniel was an avid golfer and bowler, faithfully followed Notre Dame sports teams and was a die-hard Chicago Bears fan. Daniel is survived by his wife Dorothy; his children-Linda (Elliott) Blumenthal of Ft. Wayne, IN, John (Janice) Jonatzke of Hartford, MI, Mary Jonatzke of St. Joseph, Diane (Gerald) Martin of Grand Rapids, James (Margaret) Jonatzke of Hartford, MI, Daniel J. O’Connell of Boston, MA & Kathleen (Scott) Smart of Baroda; sixteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and the extended Flood & Jonatzke families. He was preceded in death by his parents.