Obituary of Donald Elder Mitchell , 88

Donald Elder Mitchell, 88, of Lewistown, and formerly of State College, died at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, at the Ohesson Manor Nursing Home.

Born Nov. 15, 1921, on the family farm on Dry Valley Road, Vira, Pa., he was the son of the late Samuel and Alverna (Kauffman) Mitchell.

He is survived by his wife, Betty E. (Leeper) Mitchell, whom he married on Aug. 30, 1948. He is survived by his children, Daniel S. Mitchell, of Livingston, Mont., Stephen D. Mitchell and his wife, Nancy, of State College, and Thomas E. Mitchell and his wife, Laurice, of Port Matilda; grandchildren, Corinne Mitchell, Bel Air, Md., Matthew Mitchell, Salt Lake City, Utah, Keith Mitchell and wife Angela, Rockville, Md., Logan Mitchell and wife Megan, Chicago, Meghan Mitchell, Arlington, Va., Lindsay Mitchell, Columbia, Mo., Jennifer Mitchell, Salt Lake City, Utah, Stephanie Mitchell, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Caitlin Mitchell, Jacksonville, Ill. He is also survived by four siblings, Martha Mitchell Frye, State College, Frank Mitchell and wife Ann, Lewistown, Frances Mitchell Burd and husband Howard, LaHabra, Calif., and David Mitchell and wife Connie, of Lewistown. He was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Mitchell. Donald was a graduate of Yeagertown High School, class of 1939, and the Bliss Electrical School, Washington, D.C.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II in the Army Signal Corps in the European Theatre. Don was a manager for the Bell Telephone Company for 36 years, retiring in 1983. He was a member of the Little Valley Presbyterian Church in Vira, and a former member of the State College Presbyterian Church.

Don traveled the country in his motor home, sightseeing and visiting family and friends. Don enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he especially enjoyed taking his grandchildren fishing on his boat.He was an avid archer, competing in field archery competitions around the area. In addition, Don's hobbies included woodworking and stained glass, and he made many beautiful pieces used by his children and grandchildren in their homes. Upon his retirement, Don volunteered installing medical alert systems in the homes of the elderly.

His funeral service will be held Tuesday, at 10:30 a.m., at the Heller-Hoenstine Burnham Funeral Home, 108 First Ave., Burnham, with the Rev. Robert Zorn officiating. Interment will be in Little Valley Presbyterian Cemetery.

There will be no public viewing, however, family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Donald's memory may be made to the Little Valley Presbyterian Church, 1302 Vira Road, Lewistown, PA17044.