WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
James William Mitchell, 89, of Vandalia, passed away at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
He was born June 24, 1922, in Elkhart, Ind., to John Willis and Violet Lyde (Slusser) Mitchell.
On Aug. 22, 1942, in Elkhart, he married Betty Jane Vullmahn. She survives, along with one son, James W. (Elaine) Mitchell II of Sturgis; a daughter, Nancy (Mike) Longo of Novi; three grandchildren, Kara Longo Korte, Michelle Longo Knierim and Erik James Mitchell. Also surviving are three great-grandchildren; two brothers, John Robert Mitchell of McCormick, S.C., Jack D. Mitchell of Elkhart and a half-brother, William (Joyce) Mitchell of The Villages, Fla. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Christen Mitchell.
Jim was a member of the Columbus, Indiana Masonic Lodge and Order of Eastern Star. He also was a member of the South Bend Shrine Club, Elks Lodge in Sturgis and Bristol United Methodist Church. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, golfing, bowling and most of all spending time with his family. Jim worked as a tool and die maker at Huckins Tool & Die in South Bend, Ind. He was owner of Sturgis Tool & Die from 1973 until his retirement in 1989.
Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. Monday at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home and from 9-10 a.m. Tuesday at Bristol United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Bristol United Methodist Church. Pastor Fred Stayton will preside and entombment will follow in Rice Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to the American Heart Association. To send an online condolence, visit www.wmzfh.com.
