Jay A. McConnell, 83, of Worth Township, Mercer County, passed away at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013, in Grove City Medical Center with his family by his side after a short and courageous battle with cancer.
Born April 21, 1930, in Harrisville, he was a son of Charles E. and Alda M. Vincent McConnell.
Mr. McConnell was a graduate of the former Harrisville High School.
In his early years Jay was a truck driver for Pierce Trucking and then drove for Quaker State Oil and Refining for more than 32 years, retiring in 1987.
He served as a Worth Township supervisor for more than 27 years, and after his retirement he worked for McDowell Implement of Grove City.
Jay also had a love for farming and animals, he enjoyed raising beef cattle, and he enjoyed working his halflinger horses, Duke and Dan.
He was a member of Oak Grove Church in Fairview Township.
Jay served in the U.S. Army and was a Korean War veteran.
He was a member of Lake Lodge #434, Free & Accepted Masons of Sandy Lake, and the New Castle Consistory.
He served as a volunteer driver for Lakeview Area Meals on Wheels.
Jay enjoyed hunting and was a great supporter of Lakeview sports programs.
He always had time for a good conversation.
Jay loved to spend time with his family and was a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
His wife of 59 years, the former Bessie Idella Bowmer, whom he married March 20, 1954, survives at home.
Also surviving is a daughter, Peggy Lengauer and her husband, Mike, of Stoneboro; two sons, Robert A. McConnell and his significant other, Barbara Thompson, of Somerset, Va., and Raymond L. McConnell and his wife, Lisa, of Wooster, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Joshua McConnell and his wife, Bethany, of Gainesville, Va., Nancy Keeling and her husband, Doug, of Hadley, Justin McConnell and his wife, Heather, of Gainesville, Va., Katie McAfoose and her husband, Joel, of Stoneboro, Amy Lengauer of Stoneboro, and twins Jacob and Jordan McConnell of Wooster, Ohio; a great-grandson, Grant McAfoose of Stoneboro; and a brother, Earl McConnell and his wife, Deanie, of Rouseville.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents.
The family would like to recognize the compassionate care they received from the doctors, nurses and staff at Grove City Medical Center who lovingly took care of Jay in his final days.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Scott A. Black Funeral Home, 99 Franklin St., Stoneboro.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in Oak Grove Church, 16 Oak Grove Road, Mercer, with the Rev. Randy L. Ritchey, church pastor, officiating.
Interment and committal services will be at Prairie Cemetery in Harrisville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Oak Grove Church, 16 Oak Grove Road, Mercer, 16137.