Connie Joyce Bly

Connie Joyce Schillings Bly, 82, passed away Saturday, April 24, surrounded by family. Connie was born February 10, 1939, in Shawnee. She graduated from Dale High School where she met her husband, William (Bill) Bly. They were married November 4th, 1955. Connie was a wife, mother and homemaker and still found time to follow her passion and love for animals, especially horses. She ran the humane society and worked was a deputy sheriff in Pottawatomie County. All of her life, Connie loved horse riding which translated into every aspect of her life. Connie enjoyed “being outside”, whether that was hunting and fishing, and camping, going to garage sales with her daughters, going to horse sales and being around the horses and the people at the horse sales, or simply being outside enjoying the sunshine. Connie was preceded in death by her mother, Hazel Schillings Smalts of New Mexico and half-sister, Ellen Smalts of New Mexico; those who raised and loved her, her grandparents, Carrie Snyder Schillings and Jake Schillings of Shawnee; her husband, William Franklin (Bill) Bly; a grandson, Dakota Joe Blakley of Shawnee; and a son, William Franklin (Frank) Bly II of Tulsa. She is survived by children, Cindy and Bobby Kingery of Shawnee, Kim and Darrell Blakley of Shawnee, Frank and Angie Bly of Tulsa, Cara and Alan Baxter of Tecumseh, Joe and Christine Bly of Shawnee, and Kelly Bly of Shawnee; and Earl Smalts Jr. of New Mexico. She was blessed with eleven grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. A graveside service will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, April 27, at Dale Cemetery with Doug Parker officiating. Services are under the direction of Walker Funeral Service in Shawnee.