James F. "Shorty" O'Connell, age 72, passed away at Meriter Hopsital in Madison on Tuesday, June 24, 2008. He was born in the Township of Vermont on August 4, 1935, the son of the late James P. and Margaretta (Powers) O'Connell. He graduated from Mazomanie High School in 1953. Following high school he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Alaska, being discharged in July 1957. He was united in marriage to Deanna J. Anderson on January 16, 1960 at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Mazomanie. Jim was employed as a civil engineer for Dane County Highway Department for 38 years. He enjoyed wintering in Arizona; watching sports, especially the Packers, Badgers and Brewers; and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a member of Greening-Buelow American Legion Post 437; 40 & 8; St. Barnabas Catholic Church; and a former member of the Mazomanie Village Board. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Deanna of Mazomanie; 3 children, Linda (Randy) Brunner of Blue Mounds, Maggie (Jim) Kramer of Mesa, AZ and Mike (Joyce) O'Connell of Madison; 8 grandchildren, Scott (Tera) Brunner; Travis (Jen Schrader) Brunner; Ryan (Alizabeth Statz) Brunner; Mitchell P. Forseth; Allison Kramer; Erin, Meghan and Grace O'Connell; great-granddaughter, Samantha Brunner; brother, John (Olive) O'Connell of Long Beach, CA; sister, Mary (Robert) Lee of Lodi; sister-in-law, Lois O'Connell of Mazomanie; mother-in-law, Mary Anderson of Black Earth; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Sara Brunner; brother, Joe O'Connell; and father-in-law, Marshall Anderson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BARNABAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, Mazomanie, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 30, 2008 with Fr. John Del Priore officiating. Burial will be in St. Barnabas Cemetery. Friends may call at HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, Mazomanie from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2008.