Mitchell, Robert E. 1914-2002

MITCHELL, CAVIN, DE JONG

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 8/7/2005 at 15:31:03

OTLEY - Robert E. Mitchell, 87, of Otley, died Monday, July 22, at Pella Regional Health Center.

His funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella, the Rev. Andy Kamphuis officiating. Burial: t'Lam Cemetery in Marion County. Memorials: PRHC Home Health Care. Visiting hours are open today at the funeral home, with family present 6:30-8 p.m. today.

Robert Elias Mitchell was born Oct. 3, 1914, in Hawkins County, Tennessee, to Charles Bruce and Lillie Frances Cavin Mitchell. The family moved to Marion County, Iowa, and Robert attended country schools there.

On Feb. 17, 1938, he married Adrena De Jong at the First Reformed Church parsonage in Pella. They lived various places in Marion County, and Bob operated Bob Mitchell Trucking. In 1961 they moved to Otley, where he continued to own and operate the business, spreading crushed rock and agricultural limestone for 40 years. He enjoyed gardening and shared his produce with his family. He also enjoyed feeding birds and squirrels, picking roses for his wife, and playing cards with his grandchildren.

He is survived by four children and spouses: Thomas and Patricia Mitchell of Otley, Thelma Rose Mitchell of Otley, Barbara and Evert Kroes of Pella and Michael and Patricia Mitchell of Hanford, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; four sisters and two brothers-in-law: Lorene Becker, Madonna Witter, Dorothy and Gerald Carter, all of Knoxville, and Helen and James Couchman of Fort Worth, Texas; a brother and sister-in-law: Lee and Yvonne Mitchell of Knoxville; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Hale, Clarence and Charles Mitchell; and an infant sister, Maddie Lou Mitchell.

The Oskaloosa Herald, July 25, 2002