Donald A. Mitchell

Donald A. Mitchell, 88, of Elkhart, passed away Thursday June 25, 2020 at Courtyard Healthcare in Goshen. He was born Sep. 29, 1931 in Harrisburg, PA to Harry and Mary (Martin) Mitchell. On June 11, 1955 in Elkhart he married Peggy Stephens. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Peggy, son Don S. (Renee) Mitchell of Elkhart, daughters, Marcie A. (Bret Hite) Mitchell of North Webster, IN and Janet L. ( Pat) Mitchell Song of Ft. Wayne, IN., 11  grandchildren: Donald Joseph (Rachel) Mitchell, Meridith Ann (Joseph) Pellegrino, Paige Mitchell, Nicole Rae Mitchell, Justin (Marcie) Linn, Kristina (Colin) Sholz, Travis Michael Mrozinski, Johnathan Meek, Brandon Meek, Margaret Song and Sophia Song, 8 great-grandchildren: Jude, Farren, Axel, Oden, Kennedy, Oliver, Zenly and Conner. Don was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Gladys M. Simpson, Janet L. Beyer and Harry M. Mitchell.

Don proudly served his country in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War for which he received 4 battle stars and a Purple Heart. He played football for Penn State University and Indiana State University where he graduated. He was a teacher and coach in Fairmount and Marshall, IL. He worked for Excel Corp and Workinger Electric before starting his own business, Mitchell Welding Supply in 1980. He sold his company in 1986 and retired from Airco in 1993. Don served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA, was a member of the Elkhart Noon Optimist Club, was optimist of the year in 1995-1996 and president of the club in 2003. He was a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church, now Trinity on Jackson. Don was not one to sit around so to keep active he was a substitute teacher at Concord Community Schools since 1994. Don also was a mentor for the children at Hathorne Elementary from 1997 to 1999.

Visitation will be from 11am to 12 pm on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 where a memorial service will be at 12 pm with Pastor Tim Burchill officiating. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Rice Cemetery, Elkhart. Social distancing and precautions will be observed for the visitation and service. Memorials may be made to Trinity on Jackson, 2715 East Jackson Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46516, Riverview Adult Day Care, 2715 E. Jackson Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46516 or Goshen Home Care and Hospice, 1147 Professional Dr., Goshen, IN 46526. Online condolences may be made at the funeral home website.