OBITUARY FROM POST-TRIBUNE, JUNE 4, 2012:

Connell, Michael Ryan Age 33 of Hobart, passed away unexpectedly on June 1, 2012 at Porter Hospital, Valparaiso, surrounded with love by his family. Michael was born May 29, 1979 at Porter Memorial Hospital in Valparaiso.

He is survived by the love of his life, Jessika Grady and the pride of his life, his sweet daughter, Mya Marie Connell; parents, Terry Connell and Val Connell; his very special step-mother, LeeAnn Miller; his dearest and only sister, Teresa (Javier Garza) Connell; Aunt Mary (Tom) Trinosky, Uncle Pat (Jan) Connell, Aunt Kathy (Dave) Holland, Aunt Cindy (Ron) Kenney, Aunt Judy Connell; numerous cousins; one niece; great-nephew; best friends, Bucky and Chris; many other family and friends.

Although Terry and Val were divorced when Michael was young, they remained the best of friends for Michael, the only child of their union. Michael was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Lawrence and Margaret Connell; his namesake and recently deceased uncle, Mike Connell and Uncle Timmy Connell. Michael attended Hobart High School and was a lifelong Notre Dame and Cubs fan. He has worked with his dad at Hobart Paving since he was 16 years old. Some children are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but Michael was born with an asphalt shovel in his tiny little hands.

A memorial service officiated by Rev. Charles Strietelmeier will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 7 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 701 E. 7th St., Hobart, where friends are also invited to visit with Mike's family from 2-7 p.m. Cremation will precede the memorial service. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions be made to Terry or Val Connell to be used toward the loving care and well-being of Michael's beautiful daughter, Mya Marie.

This information was obtained from: http://legacy.post-trib.com/obituaries/posttribune/obituary.aspx?pid=157927350.