John Daniel McConnell

John Daniel “Dan” McConnell, 81, of Tecumseh, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at The University of Kansas Hospital St. Francis Campus.

He was born April 2, 1943, at home on the family farm in St. Joseph, Missouri, to John Reed McConnell and Dorothy Ellen (Waterman) McConnell. Dan graduated from Topeka High School in 1961 and went on to be a machinist apprentice with the Santa Fe Railroad.

After High School Dan served in the United States Army.

He worked for Duffin’s Optical before starting his career with Santa Fe in 1973. Dan worked for 30 years as a machinist for Santa Fe, before retiring in 2004.

Dan was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and enjoyed riding motorcycles, archery, fishing, and gardening. He loved his grandchildren and attending their school activities. He could often be found tinkering on various things, and was a man that could fix almost anything and if he couldn’t, you knew it was broke. Dan liked talking on his CB radio and was the kind of person that never knew a stranger. 

He married Mary Ann Schiefelbein on July 3, 1965, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Topeka. Dan was affectionately referred to as “Danny Mac” by Mary Ann and they celebrated 52 years together, before her passing in 2017.

Survivors include his children, Nancy Burghart and husband Gregory of Tecumseh, Kathy Johnson and husband Thomas of Topeka, Daniel McConnell and wife Tricia of Topeka; grandchildren, Alex Burghart, Jenna Burghart, Storm Burghart, Blaine Johnson, Evan Johnson, Sean McConnell, and Tanner McConnell; as well as his beloved dog, Lucy.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nancy Brunin.

A visitation with the family will be from 9:00am to 10:00am, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:00am, Tuesday, January 21, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Topeka.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Helping Hands Humane Society, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.