Benjamin Rush McConnell IV, 73

Benjamin Rush McConnell IV, 73, passed away on Monday, June 14, 2021, at his home in Hope, Idaho.

He is the son of Benjamin Rush McConnell III, and Enid Mary (White) McConnell. He is proceeded in death by his parents, and his sister, Sharon DeGloria McConnell, and his beloved canine friend, Scout.

He is survived by his son, Benjamin Rush McConnell V, of Downers Groves, Illinois, "He was my dad and I loved him”; his three sisters, Susan McConnell of Lexington, Kentucky, Lucile Elizabeth McConnell of Randellstown, Maryland, and Shelly Josephine McConnell of Clark Fork, Idaho; his former wife, Marsha Bonney Essenmacher of Downers Grove, Illinois; and 9 nieces and nephews and 12 grandnieces and grandnephews. He will be missed by all.

Ben was born on December 28, 1947, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, Clark Fork, Idaho, and Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from Lyons Township High School in La Grange, Illinois in 1965, he attended Lyons Township Junior College.

In 1967, Ben married Marsha Bonney in LaGrange, Illinois. They had one son, Benny Jr. After several years of working in quality control at Club Aluminum and in the accounting department for Western Electric, Ben opened his own real estate office in the Chicago area and worked as a broker and in property investment and management until he retired to Hope in 2001 where he continued to invest in real estate until the time of his death.

Ben loved spending time with his family, in the beauty of the North Idaho mountains, forests and Lake Pend Oreille, with his dog, Scout, and his red Dodge truck. He was a patriot who was actively supported his country and the Constitution. He thrived on creative and inventive thinking. Ben loved to capture scenic moments and family gatherings with his camera. He enjoyed gathering his own firewood on his woodland property near Clark Fork. He was an avid walker and hiker who loved the trails of North Idaho. Ben truly embraced the North Idaho lifestyle in all ways.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint, Idaho, is handling the arrangements. A private family service will be held in his honor. Please visit Ben’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.

Donations in Ben's memory may be made to Better Together Animal Alliance (formerly Panhandle Animal Shelter) in loving memory of Ben McConnell, a friend to the homeless pets.