Norman Kay Connell

NORMAN KAY CONNELL (81) passed away on July 10, 2021, after an extended struggle with Pancreatic Cancer. Norman was born on October 31, 1939, the youngest son of Leland R. and Britta M. (Laughlin) Connell. Early in life, he and his brother Max lived with their Aunt Doris and Uncle Iven Connell in Dana, IN for nine years. He then returned to Mooresville to live with Leland and his stepmom, Orda Jane (Burris) Connell.

Norman graduated from Mooresville High School in 1957, and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Upon being discharged in 1961, he began his career at Citizens Bank in Mooresville. Norman progressed through a series of positions at the bank, before serving as President and CEO from 1975 until his retirement in 2001. He then served on the Board of Directors until 2009. During his banking career, Norman attended classes at Indiana University, Indiana Central College, and graduated from the School of Banking Administration at the University of Wisconsin in 1976. Then, in 1977, Norman graduated from the Commercial Lending School of the American Banking Association at the University of Oklahoma. In addition to his career in banking, he served on the board of many civic and service organizations, including the Mooresville Lions Club, Mooresville Chamber of Commerce, Mooresville Library Board, Mooresville Revitalization Group, Mooresville Redevelopment Commission, Mooresville Nature Club, Kendrick Memorial Hospital, Kendrick Foundation, and Indiana Bankers Association. He received a Sagamore of the Wabash award from Governor Robert Orr in 1987, and again from Governor Frank O’Bannon in 2001. He was named ‘Mooresvillian of the Year’ by the Mooresville Chamber of Commerce in 1993 and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Mooresville High School Alumni Association in 1997. After retirement he served in a variety of positions at the Mooresville Friends Church, Western Yearly Meeting of Friends, and Friends United Meeting.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Malinda Lee Haltom.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Ruth (Key) Connell, and children: Rebecca Connell (Tim Sheridan), William “Todd” Connell (Barbara), and John Connell (Kelly), nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and brother Max Connell.

Norman’s Life Celebration® visitation and funeral service will be held at Carlisle - Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 39 E. High St., Mooresville. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 14, 2021, 4 to 8 p.m., with services beginning at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 15, 2021. Burial will be in White Lick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Mooresville Friends Church, 50 N. Monroe Street, Mooresville, IN 46158. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.