Katherine I. McConnell

Katherine I. McConnell, 93 of Danville, Illinois, formerly of Covington, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, August 4, 2021.  Katie was born in Covington, Indiana, on June 4, 1928, daughter of Richard and Frances (McComas) Lewsader.  Katie graduated salutatorian from Covington High School in 1946.  She began work as a bookkeeper at Fountain Trust Company following graduation. On August 10, 1947, she and Virgil McConnell were married at Covington First Church of Christ by her father-in-law, Rev. E. E. McConnell.

Katie treasured doing things with her family, such as camping with family and friends, attending musicals in Chicago, and family trips to Michigan, a dude ranch, Cancun, and Ireland.   After retiring from Fountain Trust Bank in 1989 as an officer and vice president of the bank, she and Virgil traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe.  They were active in their church, liked to square dance, and play cards, especially euchre and bridge. Together they traveled throughout Indiana and Illinois to participate in contract and duplicate bridge tournaments. Katie really liked to win.

She was well-known in the community for her stunning voice.  She was a frequent soloist at First Church of Christ, as well as many weddings and funerals.  Perhaps her vocal highlight came at the age of 83, when she sang a solo with the Danville Symphony Orchestra   Her greatest joy, however, was spending time with her family.  Katie spent the last year of her life residing between the homes of her three children, in Chicago, Illinois, Naples, Florida, Delphi, Indiana, and Berea, Ohio.

Survivors include her brother Don (Rose) Lewsader, her three children, Phyllis (Dr. Joseph) Fabrizio, Jody (Joseph) Lawrie, and Alan (Elaine) McConnell; four grandchildren, Allen Lance (Charlotte) Dougherty, Michael (Megan) McConnell, Katherine (Jeff) McDonough and Jessica Mayerovitch; step- grandchildren, Sara (Dave) Ungari, Carol (Jillion) Fabrizio, Dr. Mathew (Amy) Fabrizio, four great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil, her parents, stepmother Ethel Lewsader, and four brothers, Johnny, Dick, Robert Dale, and Russel Lewsader.

Katherine will be buried in a private family ceremony alongside her husband of over 70 years.  A memorial service honoring her life will be announced at a future date.  Memorials requested to Covington First Church of Christ.  Shelby Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Condolences to the family: www.shelbyfuneralhome.com