Obituary for Stephen Connelly

Stephen Joseph Connelly

April 11, 1951 – December 7, 2024

Stephen “Steve” Joseph Connelly died peacefully while surrounded by family on December 7, 2024. Visitation will be throughout the day on Friday, December 13, from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm at Trout Funeral Home, with a vigil service and rosary at 6:30 pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 10:00 am. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK, 74601.

Steve was born in New York City, New York to James (“Jim”) and Isabelle (“Bee”) Connelly. Due to Jim’s job, Steve grew up splitting time between the town of Huntington on Long Island, New York and Wichita, Kansas alongside his sister and four brothers. Steve graduated from Kapaun Catholic High School in Wichita. Steve earned a business degree from Wichita State University and later joined his brother Mike as a systems analyst at Conoco in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Steve met his wife, Janice, at Conoco. Steve and Janice were married September 22, 1979. Steve became a cherished son-in-law and brother-in-law to Janice’s family, the Potters. Steve and Janice enjoyed 45 years of marriage together, all of them “the happiest years of Steve’s life.”

Steve and Janice were blessed with six children. Steve was devoted to his children’s upbringing and education in the Catholic Church. Steve’s children attended Saint Mary’s Catholic school and all were active in the Saint Mary’s community. For many years, Steve served on the School Advisory Council of St. Mary’s, coached basketball, was an Assistant Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts of America where he enjoyed many Philmont treks, and chaperoned multiple youth group ski trips. Steve was also a proud Ponca City High School marching band parent, and could be found at Friday night football games wearing a button pin of each of his kid’s faces, even after they graduated. Steve would tell anyone, whether they asked or not, that his main pursuit in his retirement years was spending his children’s “inheritance” traveling around the country to visit his children and grandchildren.

Steve was an enthusiastic problem solver who could always be relied upon for great “Dadvice,” a favorite storyteller, a lover of photography, especially capturing photos of the critters in his backyard, a connoisseur of music (according to him), an eager visitor of Presidential libraries and other museums, a reluctant but later proud owner of a Pomeranian, always the person belting the most grandiose version of “Happy Birthday” at any gathering, and an inveterate jokester, even in his final days he made the doctors at his bedside genuinely laugh.

Most of all, Steve was a loving husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, son, son-in-law, uncle, and great uncle. He was deeply loved and will be dearly missed. His family and friends will pass on his stories, antics, and jokes for the rest of their days, and will try their best “not to have too much fun” without him.

Steve is survived by: his beloved wife, Janice; son, Tim and wife, Liesl Connelly; daughters, Kate and husband, Jared Brashears, Megan and husband, Al Peña, Elizabeth and husband, Ronnie Berardi, Patricia Connelly and husband, Torsten Schreiber, and Teresa Connelly; grandchildren, Benjamin, Christopher, Raegan, Zachary, and Madison Connelly, Isabelle, Michael, and James Brashears, Devin, Aaron, and Cora Peña, and Lydia, Ronald, and their baby brother, Berardi (on the way); sister Patricia Connelly; brothers, Joe and wife, Joan Connelly, Michael and wife, Ann Connelly, and Kevin Connelly; and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Isabelle Connelly, and brother James B. Connelly Jr.

Flowers may be sent to Trout Funeral Home. Any tributes may be sent to St. Mary’s Catholic School Foundation,415 S. 7th St, Ponca City, OK 74601, in remembrance of Steve Connelly. Your fond memories of Steve would be appreciated, whether shared at the visitation or the online memorial. Finally, Steve and his family would like you to consider being an organ donor.

Source: Trout Funeral Home