Gerald Arthur "Jerry" Mitchell, 80, loving husband, father, brother, and uncle entered into Heaven on Monday April 2nd at home in Harbor Springs.
He was born on November 2, 1937, in Pontiac, MI, the son of Arden Teachout and Ada Carolene (Miller) Mitchell.
On February 9, 1985 he married Mona V. (Green) Holder and she survives him.
Jerry grew up in Pontiac and graduated from West Bloomfield #5 High School in Keego Harbor, MI. in 1956. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Michigan in 1961. While attending U-M he worked with his father in a dredging and snow plowing business.
After college he worked for Peter Kiewit Sons Company for three years. In 1964 he hired into Ford Motor Company as a manager in various departments, and retired in 1995 with 32 years of service.
He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Mona; three children, Michael Andrew (Rowena) Mitchell of Whitmore Lake, MI, Dina Lee Mitchell of Brown City, MI, and Brian Keith Mitchell of Indianapolis, IN; four grandchildren, Arden Andrew (Liz) Mitchell of Kalamazoo, MI, Kathryn Marie Mitchell of New Orleans, LA, Gage Gerald Mitchell and Cameron Lawrence Mitchell of Indianapolis, IN; two brothers, James Arden (Shirley) Mitchell of Frankenmuth, MI, and Adrian Payne (Jane) Mitchell of Harbor Springs, MI; one niece, Michele (Eric) Wilson; and four nephews, Glenn (Penny) Mitchell, James (Kim) Mitchell, Greg Mitchell and Matthew Mitchell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his 4-year old brother, Robert; and daughters-in-law Estelita Mitchell and Melissa Mitchell.
Jerry was an avid reader, leaving an ongoing book in almost every room. Spending time with his brothers, sons and nephews at the Mitchell cabin in the U.P during hunting season was always a favorite time of the year. He was happiest when he had a building project in progress, or spending time with his family. Traveling was always looked forward to during the winter months. Immediately after retiring he and Mona traveled to many foreign countries before adopting their two precious dogs: Sassy and Izzy. Not wanting to be separated from them, the remainder of their traveling was done all over the continental U.S., Alaska, Canada and Mexico by R.V. to accommodate their well being.
Jerry was a long time member of Zion Lutheran Church in Petoskey, MI where a funeral service will take place on Wednesday, April 4th with the Reverend Matthew Peters officiating. The Mitchell family will receive friends at the church before and after the service. Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 3 at Stone Funeral Home, 2098 East Mitchell Road, Petoskey, MI. Internment to be in the Fairfield Cemetery in Adrian, MI on Friday, April 6, 2018.
Those wishing to honor Jerry's memory are asked to consider a donation to Zion Lutheran Church, 500 West Mitchell, Petoskey, MI 49770; or Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, 1300 West Conway Road, Harbor Springs, MI 49740.
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