Mark William “Bill” McConville, 95, of Wallace Township, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025 at St. Patrick Church in Ottawa, with Rev. Patrick Wille, officiating. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery, where Full Military Honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Born January 27, 1930, to Mark B. and Marie (Halm) McConville. Bill was deeply rooted in the farmland that would shape his life. He was educated in a one-room country school in Ophir township, with his brothers and McConville cousins. After graduating from Mendota High School, he began farming in 1947. He also served in the United States Army from 1948-1951. Farming was a calling he followed with unwavering dedication for nearly seven decades, continuing to work the soil he cherished until the remarkable age of 84. On January 9, 1960, Bill married Joellyn Corrigan. Together they built a home and a legacy in Wallace Township, raising a close-knit family grounded in faith, hard work, and togetherness. In addition to farming, Bill worked for many years at Libby-Owens-Ford, balancing the demands of factory life with the rhythms of the seasons on the farm.
Bill’s greatest pride was his family. He and Joellyn were blessed with five children: Leanne (Jerry) Baker, Patrick (Elise) McConville, Colleen McConville, Barb (Mark) Harmon, and Peggy Meyer: ten grandchildren: William McConville, Kristin Rowley, Jacob Krouse, Emily Krouse, Lauren Tipton, Andrew Harmon, Anna Harmon, Patrick Harmon, Gabe Meyer, and Luke Meyer; and four great-grandchildren: Cayden Tipton, Lilly Flores, Quinn Rowley, and Callum Krouse.
A man who found joy on the water as much as on the land, Bill was rarely happier than when he was boating or fishing. A proud member of the Starved Rock Yacht Club since 1976, he cherished long weekends on the Illinois River and annual fishing trips with family and friends to Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the remote lakes of Ontario, Canada. Bill lived a full and purposeful life marked by hard work, quiet strength, and an abiding love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joellyn, his daughter Leanne, his grandson Andrew, his parents, brothers Jim (Marion), Dale (Phyllis), and brother-in-law Al Walter. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his brother Dick (Mary), and sister Patricia Walter.
The family would like to thank Lightways Hospice and the staff of Pleasant View Lutheran Home.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433