Kenneth Joseph O'Connell's Obituary
Obituary of Kenneth J. O'Connell II
A Celebration of Life Service for Ken O'Connell will be held at the St. Helens Elks Lodge at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 22nd. Ken passed away in Portland, October 16th. He was 71 years of age.
Ken was born in Portland to Kenneth and Alice Rich O'Connell; he was the 2nd of 3 children. He was raised and schooled in St. Helens, graduating in 1957. The next year he served our country in the US Army and returned in 1961. He received a degree from Oregon State University and he owned a funeral home in town, but he enjoyed truck driving and that was his profession until he retired. He was the past Vice President of Oregon Freightways, a dispatcher and worked in transport sales. He married his wife Janice Lynn in Coeur d'Alene Idaho, February 22, 1990; she preceded him in death, February 9th, 2009. Ken is an Elk member and past Commodore of the St. Helens Yacht Club. He enjoyed cooking, golfing and watching all sports on ESPN.
He was preceded in death by his son Kenneth O'Connell and is survived by his daughter, Kelly and husband Rich Simmons of Chehalis, Washington, step-daughters; Kristine Shaw and Wendy Hart both of St. Helens, 10 grandchildren and Sister Suzanne O'Connell of Molokai, Hawaii.
Online condolence can be made to the family at; www.columbiafh.com
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