Who We Are
Connelly History
The John F. Connelly Plumbing and Heating Company began in 1949 in Springfield, Mo., founded by John F. Connelly, a former city plumbing inspector, and his wife, Katherine, serving as secretary. Their first location was at 1829 N. Broadway. They hired John Edwards as a plumbing apprentice the year they opened.
After 12 years, John Edwards had worked his way up to partial ownership, and in 1969, the Connellys sold the company to John, who chose to retain the Connelly name. John’s wife, Rosellen, joined the business as vice president and secretary.
John and Rosellen’s son, Danny, began working with for the company during summers as a teenager. Danny joined the company as an apprentice plumber in 1972, the week after he graduated from high school. He joined the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 178, and eventually earned Master Plumber, Gas Fitter, and HVAC Mechanic certification with the City of Springfield. The company relocated to West College Street in 1992, and with his father considering retirement, Danny took on estimating and management duties.
Danny became the company’s president and CEO in 1995, following his parents’ retirement. Danny shortened the name to Connelly Plumbing, later adding Heating & Air. Connelly operated at the corner of Kansas Expressway and West Mount Vernon Street from 2003 to 2020, when Danny moved the company into a redeveloped former tractor supply complex, on the corner of North National Avenue and East Division Street. Connelly remains at this location today.
After college, Danny’s three children joined him at Connelly: Matt Edwards joined the service department in 2003, Kayley Edwards Graves joined administration in 2009 and Brett Edwards began working in commercial estimation in 2012.Today Matt is the Service Manager and Brett the Construction manager for the Company.
Through years of dedication and hard work, including members of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 178, Connelly became a leading plumbing and mechanical company in the Springfield area, building a reputation upon quality and safety, earning customers’ trust and loyalty. Connelly contributed to development of Springfield Brewing Company, Springfield Catholic High School, Hammons Field and other key community projects.
In 2021, after proudly serving Springfield for 72 years, Connelly Plumbing, Heating & Air joined forces with The Waldinger Corporation to create Connelly Waldinger.
Waldinger History
The Waldinger Corporation, based in Des Moines, Ia., is also a family-owned company with a rich history, and now one of the country’s premier full-service mechanical, electrical and sheet metal contractors.
Founded by Harry Waldinger in 1906 as Capital City Tin Shop, Waldinger began as a small family operation. In 1928, it changed its name to Capital City Sheet Metal. After Harry Waldinger's passing in 1935, the company was managed by his sons, Mose and Joe Waldinger.
In 1940, the Waldinger brothers formed a partnership known as Iowa Sheet Metal Contractors, which successfully bid on a significant project at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Over the next few years, they completed multiple similar projects in the Midwest, establishing themselves as one of the largest sheet metal companies in the United States.
In 1948, the company won the bid for the Mutual Benefit Life building in Omaha, Nebraska. To efficiently complete the project, Iowa Sheet Metal Contractors acquired Skilman Sheet Metal and established Nebraska Sheet Metal Contractors.
In 1959, the company moved its operations to Bell Avenue in Des Moines and expanded by adding a piping division in 1961. In 1969, the company changed its name to The Waldinger Corporation to honor its roots. It has continued to grow and expand into new markets.
Today, The Waldinger Corporation is the largest round-the-clock, truck-based service provider delivering maintenance and repair services to clients throughout the Midwest. Headquartered Des Moines, with offices and divisions throughout the region, Waldinger designs, fabricates, installs and maintains HVAC, refrigeration, electrical, plumbing, piping and kitchen equipment systems for commercial, institutional and industrial facility clients, employing more than 3,400 professionals.
About Connelly-Waldinger
As we move forward together, Connelly, a division of The Waldinger Corporation, remains committed to our shared values of integrity, professionalism, and community involvement.
With Connelly’s reputation of quality, safety and customer service, multiplied by Waldinger’s regional strength and resources, we can tackle any project, from small-scale residential repairs to large-scale commercial installations. Our expanded resources and capabilities allow us to offer comprehensive solutions to our clients, catering to their diverse needs across different industries and regions.
We remain firmly committed to upholding the family and local legacy, serving the community’s residential and commercial mechanical, plumbing, HVAC and refrigeration needs.
Give us a call. We look forward to serving you.