ANAHEIM, Calif. — Dale McConnell, 83, of Anaheim, Calif., passed away on Monday, April 4, 2011, at his home in Anaheim following a courageous battle with melanoma cancer.

He was born July 13, 1927, in Labette County to Don and Maude (Coyner) McConnell.

He grew up on a farm in northeast Labette County. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1949 and was stationed aboard the USS Juneau as an electronics technician. He worked for Rockwell International for 38 years. His favorite pastime was playing poker.

He is survived by his loving family: three daughters, Rory Cheatham of Riverside, Calif., Tacy Oelke and her husband, Randy, of Norco, Calif., and Abby Lovett and her husband, Larry, of El Cajon, Calif.; six grandchildren, Caleb Cheatham, Jason Oelke, Janette (Oelke) Leahy, Daniel Lovett, Ashley Lovett and Briana Lovett; seven great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Olive McKenzie of Independence, Donna Williams of Parsons and Nadine Gardipe of Eaton, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six siblings, Pauline Wagner, Lucille Welch, Edith Smith, Floyd “Tommy” McConnell, Lloyd McConnell, Mildred Miller; a son-in-law, Thomas Cheatham; and a grandson, Chad Cheatham.

A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Calif.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hilgenfeld Mortuary in Anaheim, Calif.