Michael R. "Mike" Connell, 57, peacefully passed away on February 26, 2013. He was born on April 11, 1955 in Greeley, Colorado, the son of Richard R. and Bonnie L. (Mousel) Connell. He married Belinda Miller on November 29, 1975 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Claflin. She survives. Mike attended elementary school in Otis. He was a 1974 graduate of Claflin High School and graduated from North Central Technical College in Beloit. Mike previously owned and operated Amoco Gas Station. He was an independent contract pumper. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. Mike had a passion for trapping, hunting, fishing and gardening. Other survivors include three daughters, Jessica Keeton and husband Mark of Hutchinson, KS; Addie Cullen and husband Jeff and Becca Duncan and husband Dave, all of Tonganoxie, KS; his parents, one brother, Mark Connell and his wife Kim of Claflin; one sister, Carol McAtee and husband Travis of Lakin, KS; eight grandchildren, Adrian and Molly Cullen, Graecyn, Ellie and Tenley Keeton, and Devin, Elaina & Jack Duncan and several nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Steve Connell in 2010 and grandparents, Leo & Daisy Mousel and Charles & Josephine Connell. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, March 2, 2013 at Claflin United Methodist Church with Reverend Gene Langhofer officiating. Burial will follow at Claflin Cemetery. Friends may call Friday, March 1, 2013 from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington and from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Claflin United Methodist Church in Claflin with the family present. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Claflin Ambulance Fund or Graft vs Host Disease Research in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, Kansas 67544.