John Dexter McConnell, of Burlington, died Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas. He was 91.

John was born March 8, 1927, in Burlington, the son of Dr. A.B. and Bess (Simpson)McConnell, He had one sister, Martha Jane McConnell who married Harold Sanders McMurray. He grew up in Burlington and graduated from Burlington High School in 1945 as president of his class. He served briefly in the Army and was stationed in Germany as World War II was coming to an end. He attended College of Emporia, transferred to and graduated from Kansas State Teacher's College, Emporia, Kansas in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree.

After college, John was employed by the Boeing Corporation in Wichita, Kansas in the industrial engineering department. He worked at Boeing for 40 years, retiring on January 1, 1993. After his retirement, he moved back to Burlington.

John enjoyed bowling, fishing, tennis, golfing, basketball, animals and his volunteer work at the Coffey County Museum. He had his pilot's license and loved to fly. He was proud of his 1958 Skyliner convertible, of which he was the original owner. He followed politics and was an avid college football and basketball fan. He was a member of the Burlington Masonic Lodge for 67 years.

John never married or had children, but treated his niece, Sherry Young and nephew, Jim McMurray as his own. He delighted in his "grandchildren" and "great-grandchildren" and was present for all their special moments and accomplishments. He was always an integral part of the family. Sherry and Jim visited him daily and cared for him in his later years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, A.B. and Bess McConnell, his sister, Martha McMurray and his brother-in-law, Harold McMurray.

He leaves his nephew, Dr. James H. McMurray and wife, Linda, and niece, Sherry McMurray Young, all of Burlington; great nieces and nephews, Jon Boyce and Daniel Boyce (Stacey), both of Perry Kansas, Laura Hatzianastasiadi (Kimon) of Orlando, Fla., Hallie Wilson, Katherine McMurry and Sarah O'Leary (Richard), all of Burlington, Hannah Young, Kansas City, MO and Shemaiyah and Beth Young, both of Burlington, great great nieces and nephews, Jaylee and Owen Wilson, Chase and Mason Boyce, and Arabella and Catalina O'Leary.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, October 14, at the Bethel Church at the Coffey County Museum. Inurnment will follow at the Graceland Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions can be made to the Coffey County Museum and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.