Alva Bennett McConnel (1911 - 2000)
Alva Bennett McConnel, of Montour, died Saturday, March 18, 2000, at home. He was 88. Alva was born Oct. 30, 1911, at Emmett, to Frank and Lucille Bennett McConnel. He was reared and educated in Montour, graduating from Montour High School in 1931. At the age of five, he starting milking cows and continued working on the family farm until his death. He married Coline Porter on July 26, 1936, at Independence, Ore. Coline had been a classmate of Alva's in Montour. For most of his life Alva lived in a historic home that was part of the Marsh-lreton ranch. The house was built in 1865, had been a stage stop, and later the local post office and store. Alva recently remarked that he had never lived in a house on a paved road.
While his occupation was farming, Alva's life revolved around his family and faith. He was a member of the Nazarene Church in Montour for many years where he was an adult Sunday school teacher and superintendent. He and Coline kept the Sunday school open for several years after the church closed. He was later a Sunday school teacher at the Emmett Nazarene Church and the Fruitland Free Methodist Church. Alva also served his community as a member of the ASCS Committee, Farm Home Committee, Montour Farmers' Ditch Board, and the Montour School Board.
Alva is survived by five sons and daughters-in-law and their families (11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild): Lon and Judy McConnel of Montour; Lee and Sharon McConnel of Bellingham, Wash.; Paul and Lila McConnel of Caldwell; Pat and Isabella McConnel, and Steve and Linda McConnel of Nampa. Also surviving are five sisters and three brothers-in-law and their families: Avis York of Emmett; Elaine Hall of Lacy, Wash.; Dorothy and Kenneth Pratt of Sweet: Audrey and Jim Click of Olympia, Wash.; and Mary Jane and Clyde Walden of Seattle. He was preceded in death by his wife, Coline, in 1994; a brother, Andrew; and a sister, Ann.
A memorial service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, at the Potter Funeral Chapel, Emmett. The Rev. Bob Haven of West Valley Free Methodist Church, Fruitland, will officiate. Burial will follow at the Sweet Cemetery.
Visitation was held Tuesday, March 21, from noon until 8 p.m. at the Potter Funeral Chapel.
Memorials may be made to West Valley Free Methodist Church, 100 E. 1st St., Fruitland 83616; or to a favorite charity.
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Copyright © 2009 - Sharon McConnel. All Rights Reserved.
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