Robert L. McConnell, 88
Robert L. McConnell, 88, of Tri Lakes, died at 11:20 a.m. Monday, January 18, 2010 at Parkview Whitley Hospital where he was admitted on Sunday. 
He was born May 26, 1921 in Des Moines, Iowa a son of Ross and Irene (Kenner) McConnell. As a young boy, his family moved to Fort Wayne. He graduated from North Side High School and International Business College.
During World War II, he served in the United States Army.
In 1968 he moved to Columbia City and in 1979 to his present home on Little Cedar Lake.
He was employed at Fort Wayne Transit, later I & M Electric and later Midwestern United Life Insurance. He also worked at Parkview Hospital as head of public relations and retired from Whitley County Memorial Hospital as administrator on December 24, 1980.
On June 29, 1980 he was united in marriage to Juanita B. (Perry) Wait.
His memberships included Plymouth Congregational Church in Fort Wayne.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Juanita; a step daughter, Joyce PeGan of Arizona; four step children, C. Bryan Wait of Columbia City, Karen M. (Michael) Cook of Bloomfield, Mark A. Wait of Grovertown and Shawn D. (Teresa) Wait of Columbia City; a granddaughter, Addie Bhuiya; four great grandchildren;12 step grandchildren; and four step great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother, William McConnell.
The funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
The burial will take place at a later date at the Catholic Cemetery.
Preferred memorials are to Alzheimer’s Association or Parkview Whitley Foundation.
Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com