Coraethel May McConnell

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Coraethel May McConnell of Warsaw, Indiana passed away at 9:47 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2020 at her residence at the age of 85. 

She was born on May 23, 1935 in Silver Lake, Indiana to Lulu Lavina (Grube) Alspaugh and Alvin Beryl Alspaugh.  On June 6, 1953 she married Elza Herman Bruce in Winona Lake, Indiana.  Elza passed away on October 30, 1980.  Many years later, Coraethel was remarried on January 4, 2005 to John Lawrence “Larry” McConnell, who survives.    

Coraethel was a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County, Indiana where she was a 1953 graduate of Warsaw High School.  She was a former bookkeeper and clerk/treasurer for the Town of Pierceton.  She also worked as a secretary and receptionist for Penguin Point Franchise Systems in Warsaw, a secretary for New Life Christian Church and World Outreach in Warsaw, and was the office manager for Kosciusko Senior Services before her retirement on June 15, 2001.  Coraethel loved her church family at Dutchtown Brethren Church in Warsaw where she was a longtime member and served as a Deaconess for many years.  She enjoyed playing her Blue Lion Dulcimers and being a hospice volunteer.  More than anything she truly loved her family and will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother….she will be dearly missed.   

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 15 years, John Lawrence “Larry” McConnell (Warsaw, Indiana); son:  Roger Lee Bruce and significant other, Janet Walton (Warsaw, Indiana); two stepsons:  Dennis Stouder (Nashville, Tennessee); Tom (Tracy) McConnell (Muncie, Indiana); and her stepdaughter:  Martha McConnell (Friday Harbor, Washington). 

Also surviving are two granddaughters:  Tiffany L (Jay) Herron (Columbia City, Indiana); April T. (Derek) Boggs (Warsaw, Indiana); four step-granddaughters:  Floie J. Stouder (Fort Wayne, Indiana); Suzanne Bishop, Monica and Danielle Niemann (all of Washington State); grandson:  Justin E. (Kelli) Stouder (Monument, Colorado); eight great-grandchildren:  Twyla Joy, Earl Frederick, Lydia LeAnn and Julian James Herron; Chloe Diane and Jack Wallace Boggs; Hayden Michael and Ellery Marie Stouder; two step-grandchildren:  Mike McConnell (Florida); Scott McConnell (Tennessee); and her step-great-great-grandson:  Owen McConnell (Florida). 

She also leaves behind four sisters:  Mary (Scott) Wolfe (Oregon); Ina (Glen) Oney (Greencastle, Indiana); Naomi Lintow (Black Canyon City, Arizona); Esther Tucker (New Port Richey, Florida); and three brothers:  Guy (Nancy) Aslpaugh (Warsaw, Indiana); John (Judy) Alspaugh (Spring Hill, Florida); and her sister-in-Law:  Mariana Alspaugh (Slidell, Louisiana).  She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Diane Lynn (Bruce) Stouder on May 30, 2000, step-son, Mark McConnell in 2019, and her brother, Ivan Alspaugh.  

Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 – 1: 00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2020 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.  Coraethel’s life will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. with a service officiated by Pastor Jack Worth assisted by Pastor Jeremy Goff.  Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw, Indiana. 

Memorial donations may be directed to Dutchtown Brethren Church, 4057 E. 300 N., Warsaw, Indiana  46582 and would be appreciated by the family. 

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