Robert L. “Dog” Connell was born March 1, 1929, in Marion, the son of William J. and Stella (Robinson) Connell.
Connell was a member of the 1946 Marion High School basketball team that reached the Elite 8 in the state finals. He was selected as honorable mention on the all-state team and led the South Seven Conference in scoring that year.
Dog, as he was known to many, was united in marriage to Patsy Douglas on Oct. 3, 1947, in Marion. Together they shared more than 60 years of marriage.
They had four children Lila Bratten, Jackie S. Leonard, Robert D. Connell and Jami L. Withers.
Dog retired from CIPS in 1990, after 43 years of service as an electrical utility foreman. He served on the Marion City Council for 37 years since 1967 with the exception of four years in which he tried unsuccessfully to unseat Robert Butler as Mayor. For most of his years on the city council, he served as water utility commissioner.
He served as a Republican precinct committeeman for more than 40 years and had served as chairman of the Williamson County Republican Party since 1992.
He and his wife Patsy have been member of the First Baptist Church of Marion for 53 years and he was a lifelong member of the Elks Lodge 800 BPOE of Marion. Dog was well-known for his kind and gentle nature and was always willing to help anyone in need. He was proud to be an American, a lifelong citizen of Marion and a member of the Republican Party. He was loved by his family and many friends and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Robert L. “Dog” Connell, 79, passed away with his family at his side at 2:05 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2008, in Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. Connell had battled disease in his later years including heart problems and a malignancy in his esophagus.
He was survived by his wife, Patsy Connell of Marion; three daughters and sons-in-law, Lila and Gilbert Bratten of Springfield, Jackie and Larry Leonard of Rochester and Jami and Mitchell Withers of Marion; one son, Robert D. “Bob” Connell of Marion; eight grandchildren, Brandy Lane, Traci Martin, Douglas Connell, Rachel Connell, Brett Leonard, Tyler Leonard, Zane Withers and Chase Withers; three great-grandchildren, twins, Noah and Avery Lane, and Karli Martin; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Charlotte Connell of Marion; other extended family members and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Billy Connell. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery.
(Data extracted from Marion Daily Republican Obit and articles)