WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Howard D. Mitchell, age 91, of Searcy, Ark., and a former Sturgis resident, passed away Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at White County Medical Center in Searcy, Ark.
He was born Sept. 8, 1920, in Sturgis, a son of the late Joseph and Gladys (Sink) Mitchell.
On March 20, 1946, he married the love of his life, Mary Ruth in Sturgis. They enjoyed 57 years of marriage until she preceded him in death on Dec. 4, 2003.
Howard was a member of Country Valley Christian Church in Searcy.
He was a veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force and a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during World War II from Aug. 17, 1942-Dec. 18, 1945, earning the rank of Aviation Ordnanceman First Class. Howard enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling.
He is survived by a sister, Marilyn Brooks of Burr Oak; and three nephews, Steve (Joyce) Brooks, Robert (Cathy) Brooks and Stanley Joe (Kelli) Brooks, all of Burr Oak.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and two brothers, James “Jocko” Mitchell and Alvin Mitchell.
The family will receive friends from noon-2 p.m. Friday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis. A graveside service will be held at 2:15 p.m. Friday at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis. Mr. Larry Wallman will officiate. Full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.
Memorial donations to the charity of one’s choice would be appreciated.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
