Joseph R. Connelly, age 77, of Swansea, IL, born on January 11, 1949, in East St. Louis, IL., died on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.
Joe was an East St. Louis High School graduate and a Vietnam War Army Veteran. He was involved with the Battle of Ripcord, the last major battle of the Vietnam War. He was a member of the “Ripcord Association” a group of Vietnam Veterans that were on and around the Fire Base Ripcord in 1970 and sustained the greatest losses of troops in the Vietnam War. Joe received two Purple Hearts on July 20, 1970. He later worked for the United States Postal Service in St. Louis, MO as a Distribution Clerk until retirement.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen K. Haynes; his parents, Gerald and Myrtle, nee Cunningham Connelly; his brother, Gene (Constance) Connelly; his sister, Oneta (Bud) Gerling; his mother-in-law, Jennie Sobieralski; his brothers-in-law, Charles Swan and Steve (Carole) Sobieralski and his-sister-in law, Ella (John) Frawley.
Joe is survived by his wife, Helen Connelly, nee Sobieralski; his son, William K. (Brandy) Haynes of Belleville, IL; his grandson, Kendall Haynes; his twin sister, Chloe Fay of Columbia, IL; his brother-in-law, Al (Sharon) Sobieralski of Belleville, IL; and many special nieces, nephews and friends including his Breakfast Buds and Heart Group Friends.
The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Blake Rogers and the nursing staff at Belleville Memorial Hospital for the great care given to Joe.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL.
Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL with Fr. William McGhee officiating. Interment with Military Honors will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.
