WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Mary Margret Mitchell, age 92, died Saturday, July 24, 2021 in Howell, MI having lived a long and full life.
Mary’s husband of 72 years is Robert “Bob” Mitchell of Howell. Her loving children include Diana Fair, Robert II “Butch,” Karen Gotianse, Patti Easton, daughter-in-law Mary Mitchell and sons-in-law Vincent Gotianse and Charles “Chuck” Easton. Mary has 9 grandchildren: Jennifer, Joe, Jamie and Kristi, Amy, Andrew, Jon, Geoff, Chris. Also survived by her 11 great-grandchildren Mitchell, Matthew, Landon, Carson, Addie, Miggy, Zane, Elliott, Owen, Jase, Harper and many dear nieces and nephews. Mary has one brother, Bud Zeigler of Columbus, OH and a sister-in-law, Mary Taylor of Akron, OH.
Mary was born in a farmhouse near Wayne, OH to Clarence and Florence Zeigler. Their family later moved to St Petersburg, FL where Mary graduated from St Petersburg High, Class of ’47. She later attended the University of Michigan School of Nursing until choosing to marry Robert Mitchell, a best friend of her cousin Dale Wolfe in Mendon. Their first home was in Sturgis, where they raised their four children. Later, Mary & Bob moved to Kalamazoo where Mary retired from her position in payroll for the City of Kalamazoo. Upon retirement, Mary and Bob moved to the Silver Dollar Golf and Trap Club in Odessa, FL where they enjoyed retirement for about 25 years.
Mary’s focus in life was her family. She was consul, tutor, champion, taxi driver and disciplinarian for her children. She always looked forward to family gatherings for the holidays. You could find her at the center of laughter and conversation at any gathering.
Mary loved dancing and music. She could pound out “Heart & Soul” on the piano with the best of them. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed making clothes for family members. After her children left for college, she picked up golf and trap shooting as hobbies. She became an accomplished shooter winning numerous trophies and “beating the men.” Mary combined shooting with her seamstress skills to start a part-time business designing and selling custom shooting vests.
Mary chose to be cremated. A “Celebration of Life” is planned for August 21 at the Sturgis Enrichment Center, 306 N. Frank’s Ave. in Sturgis, MI. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made “In Memory of Mary M. Mitchell” to: The University of Michigan, School of Nursing or to the Alzheimer’s Association: The University of Michigan, School of Nursing, Office of University Development, 3003 S. State St., Ste. 8000, Ann Arbor, MI 48109; Alzheimer’s Association. 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601 or www.act.alz.org
