Theodore Mitchell
West Alton | Save
Theodore “Ted” R. Mitchell, 86, passed away at 5:55 am Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at his home under the care of Pathway’s Community Hospice.
He was born on May 17, 1924, in Barnett, IL, the son of Clarence O. and Jennie Belle (Hoover) Mitchell.
He married Lenora “Tiny” F. Smith on September 25, 1948 at the Alton Evangelical United Church of Christ on Henry Street. She survives.
Ted served his country in the U.S. Navy from July 20, 1943 to April 5, 1946 during WWII. He was an oiler on the aircraft carrier, the USS Solomons CVE67. He worked at Shell Oil Company until 1956, then opened his own business, a Sinclair Gas Station, retiring in 1973. Then he worked at Paddock Chrysler, which changed to Dodge World, retiring in 1978. He also sold crop insurance for Square Deal to many area farmers in St. Charles County for 25 years. He was a member of Zion United Church of Christ in Florissant, where he was involved with the men’s fellowship, on the church board and the Zion Cemetery Board. He was a member of the Alton VFW Post 1308, the Alton Eagles FOE 254 and the Masonic Lodge 241 A.F. & A.M.in St. Charles for 50 years. Ted and a group of 10 to 12 men built a veterans memorial in West Alton and spent every Memorial Day paying tribute to the fallen veterans at each of the cemeteries there. He enjoyed Cardinals baseball, football, gardening, watching birds from his deck, deer and duck hunting. He also enjoyed spending time and sharing stories with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children and their spouses, Bruce and Vicki Mitchell of St. Charles, MO, Carol and Jack Wittman of St. Charles, MO, Gina and Dan O’Brien of St. Louis, MO and Tom Mitchell of Arizona; ten grandchildren and their spouses, Courtney and Dianne, Carrie and Kevin, Erin and Adrian, Adam and Holly, Drew and Shandra, Marie, Alex, Sam, Michael and Sarah; ten great grandchildren, Teddy, Ben, Cooper, Gabi, Clinton, Lucas, Faith, Tyler, Max and Mason; a brother and sister-in-law, Stewart and Mary Mitchell of Highland, IL; a sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Bill Fair of Wood River; a sister-in-law, Frances Jacoby of Godfrey, his nieces, nephews and many friends and neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Virginia Fahrig and a brother, Arch Mitchell.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm on Friday, January 14, 2011 at Staten Fine Funeral Home in Alton. Funeral services will be at 10 am on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at the Zion United Church of Christ in Florissant, MO with Pastor Mark M. Milligan officiating.
Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens in St. Charles, MO with full military honors.
Memorials may be made to Zion United Church of Christ Building Fund or American Cancer Society.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.staen-fine.com
Staten, Fine & Burke Funeral Home
