Patrick H. "Pat" Connelly, 70, passed away at 7:50 p.m. Friday, October 31, 2014 at his home in Altamont.

Services for Pat will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham with Father Simburger officiating. Burial will be held in Watson Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to time of service, Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, his family has requested that memorials be made to the donor's choice.

Pat was born August 13, 1944 in Lafayette, Indiana, the son of Roscoe and Frances (Meditz) Connelly. He married Denise L. (Finfrock) in 2000 and she survives. Pat was a retired truck driver for Emerson Trucking, based out of Bridgeton, Missouri. He served with the United States Air Force from 1965 – 1968, the Air Force Reserve from 1968- 1971 and also a member of the Edgewood American Legion Post #1168. Pat was a loyal, devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He was also a proud musician; being a drummer for 50 years and always enjoyed the sweet twang of bluegrass music.

Pat was a loving husband, father, step-father and Papaw. He will deeply be missed by his wife, Denise of Altamont; three daughters, Erin Connelly (special friend, Josh Addis) of Champaign, Kim Connelly of Centralia and Christie (Eric) Minder of Germantown Hills; two step-sons, Michael (Larissa) Zerrusen of Effingham and Jeremy (Shannon) Zerrusen of Brownstown; grandchildren, MacKinsey, Parker, Payton, Macey, Tyler, Madison, Victoria, Kayden, Kayleigh, Karson and Zoey; great-grandson, Cooper.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents; son, Kevin and two brothers, Bob and Joe.