Donald Franklin McConnell, 84 of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 12, 2020, with his wife at his side.

Donnie was born in Slippery Rock Township on September 15, 1935, and soon would have celebrated his 85th birthday.

He married Betty Helen Turk on September 11, 1959, and they had just celebrated their 61 years of marriage.

Donnie was resourceful, hardworking and enjoyed people.

He was a diesel mechanic and body man and later owned and operated McConnell Auto Supply with his son, Robert.

He never had a bad word to say about anyone.

He was a member of MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System), which provides communication support for the Department of Defense. In 1964, Donnie began working for GMC in Butler, where he later progressed from mechanic to service manager.

He attended West Liberty United Methodist Church.

He was a ham operator with the call numbers WB3JAJ, and as a CB radio operator was a member of Stone House Agitators Radio Club.

He enjoyed NASCAR and had built and raced stock cars with his son Robert. Donnie also loved fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Betty, at home; son, Robert Paul (Sandra Lee) McConnell of Slippery Rock; daughter, Shelly Lynne (Scott) Weber of Dover, Delaware; son, Jeffery Allen McConnell of Butler; four sisters, Virginia L. (George) Michael of Cortland, Ohio, Winnie J. Altman of Franktown, Colorado, Carolyn J. Tilton of Webb City, Missouri, and Marjorie R. Herold of Sligo, Pennsylvania; two granddaughters, Sarah Prince and Alana Weber; five stepgrandchildren, Robert Whitt, Perry Christy, and Joseph, Brady and Ryan McConnell; a great-grandson, Justin Robert Prince Jr.; and stepgreat-granddaughter, Wednesday Wagner.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Harold L., and two infant sisters and an infant brother who passed away during a residential house fire on Dec. 10, 1934.

The family will gather for a private viewing at the Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St. Slippery Rock, on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Private funeral services will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 with The Rev. Dan Miller of the West Liberty United Methodist Church presiding.

Interment will be in Slippery Rock Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be given to West Liberty United Methodist Church.