Eugene A. “Mitch” Mitchell, age 82, of Madison, and a former Moulton, Iowa resident, died Sunday, February 27, 2011 at Lake City VA Medical Center in Lake City. He was born the son of Charles H. and Martha J. (Wood) Mitchell on July 27, 1928 in Dean, Iowa. He attended the Moulton Community School in Moulton, Iowa.
Eugene served in the Merchant Marine just prior to beginning his United States Army duty. He would serve his country during the Korean Conflict with the United States Army as an MP, from 1951 until his honorable discharge in 1953. He was first united in marriage to Dorothy Loop; they were later divorced. He was then united in marriage to Deloris Johnson, who would precede him in death. On June 9, 1979, Eugene was united in marriage to Josephine Bernett-Bagby in Des Moines, Iowa; she, too, would precede him in death. Later, on October 9, 1997, he would be united in marriage to Jeanette Hughes in Angola, Indiana. Prior to his retirement, Eugene worked all phases of construction including work as a drywaller and painter in the Detroit, Michigan and Blue Island, Illinois areas. He was also a member of the Methodist faith.
Eugene is preceded in death by his parents; wives, Delores Mitchell and Josephine Mitchell; brother, Ronald C. Mitchell; sisters, Marvel Vincent, Esther Janro and Iris Mitchell.
Eugene is survived by his wife, Jeanette Hughes-Mitchell of Madison, Florida; son, Larry Mitchell of Chicago, Illinois; daughter, Kathy McLaughlin of Peculiar, Missouri; step-sons, John Crosby of Chicago, Illinois, Robert Mlsna of Tennessee, and Gary Bagby of Waukee, Iowa, Matthew Truax of Kani City, Gifu, Japan; step-daughters, Dawn Miller of Menomonie, Wisconsin, Monica Faley of Pinon, Arizona, Wendy King of Jacksonville, Florida; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the Lee United Methodist Church in Lee with Rev Richard Quackenbush officiating. Later, another memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Moulton, Iowa with Rev. Ben Wheeler officiating. Internment of ashes will follow at the Sunset View Cemetery north of Moulton, Iowa with full military honors by the Burl McClure Post 280 of American Legion in Moulton.
The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Moulton, Iowa is caring for the Mitchell family at this time and condolences can be sent at: schmidtfamilyfuneralhome.com
