Wilford M McConnell

Feb. 20, 1923 - Dec. 3, 2008 Wilford M. "Mack" McConnell, 85, Minerva, Ohio, formerly of Altoona RD, died Wednesday in Canton, Ohio. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Christopher and Fannie (James) McConnell. Mack married Pauline Taylor June 7, 1942, in Altoona. Surviving are his spouse of 66 years, Pauline; a son, Merrill, spouse of Kathleen, of Minerva; four grandsons: Mark, Terry, Darren and Kevin; nine great-grandchildren; three brothers: Frank of Bellwood, George of Altoona and John of Riggles Gap; three sisters: Gloria Keith, Annatrean Rossman and Christine Simpson, all of Altoona; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers: Chris, Edward, Glenn and Robert; and four sisters: Delores, Martha Cherry, Jean Deyarmin and Yvonne Snyder. Mack retired as a pipefitter from Penn Central Railroad in 1985, then worked for Butterick in the bindery department. Mack was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army infantry and served in the Pacific Theater as a tech sergeant and platoon sergeant. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, and 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, at Mauk & Yates Funeral Home Inc., Juniata. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Timothy McGarvey officiating. Committal service and interment will be at Grandview Cemetery.