Memorial

Michael John O’Connell, 77, of Cedar Rapids, passed away May 28, 2026, of complications following heart bypass surgery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home on Thursday, June 4, 2026.  A Memorial Service will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, 10:30 am on Friday June 5, 2026, with an hour visitation starting prior at 9:30 am.  A livestream of the funeral may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for Michael O’Connell, under the video tab starting at 10:30 am on June 5, 2026.  

Mike was born in Clinton, Iowa on February 4, 1949, the eldest son of John and Helen (Clark) O’Connell.  Mike graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Clinton, Iowa in 1967.  On June 22, 1968, he married Lynn Patricia Stewart.  They raised two children, Patrick and Julie, while living in Clinton.

Mike was a hard worker with an affinity for fixing things.  Over the years, he worked at Drives in Fulton, Illinois, Chemplex in Clinton, and after a training program in Finland, American Xyrofin in Thompson, Illinois.   In 1989, Mike and Lynn moved to Danvers, Illinois, where Mike worked at Diamond Star Motors.  In 2006, Mike and Lynn moved again, this time to Cedar Rapids so they could be closer to family, and Mike worked at the University of Iowa power plant until his retirement, often pulling the plant’s iconic steam whistle at the end of the workday. 

Mike was an avid outdoorsman who loved duck and deer hunting and fishing.  He was also a sports fan, enjoying both Iowa Hawkeye and Iowa State Cyclone football, the Bears and most especially the Chicago Cubs.  

In his later years, Mike took great delight in his role as a grandfather; he was incredibly proud of his five grandchildren.  Mike spent his years as Grandpa Mike attending countless sporting events, music recitals, theater performances, and lately, graduations.  Through his grandchildren, Mike developed an appreciation for soccer and even opera!  Mike never missed a single one of his granddaughter Deirdre’s soccer games, even attending a game the night before his bypass surgery.  He was always happy to pitch in whenever anyone needed a babysitter or a ride to a school event, or any other help he possibly could offer.  He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren.

Mike leaves behind his wife Lynn of 58 years, of Cedar Rapids, son Patrick (Anne) O’Connell, daughter Julie (Tony) Green, and grandchildren Moira Green, Des Moines, Kate O’Connell, Cedar Rapids, Declan Green, Cedar Rapids, Ryan O’Connell, Cedar Rapids, and Deirdre Green, Cedar Rapids.  Mike is also survived by his brother Gary (Nancy) O’Connell, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and John.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to  the family.