Clarice E. "Mitch" Mitchell

A man of integrity and honor, Clarice E. "Mitch" Mitchell lived life completely and fully at every opportunity. From the music he loved playing to socializing, and his great sense of organization, Mitch gave everything his all. A proud Veteran, Mitch loved the U.S. Navy and all it stood for. Although he will be deeply missed, the memories Mitch leaves behind will remain a treasure in the hearts of many.

The year 1920 was a time of radical change within the United States. Known as the Roaring Twenties, much was taking place by way of technology, advancements, discoveries, and inventions of the day. There was certainly cause for celebration in the lives of Clarice M. and Goldie E. (Killin) Mitchell when on May 15, 1920 in Akron, Ohio they welcomed the birth of their little boy, Clarice E. Mitchell into their lives.

One of four children, Mitch grew up alongside his siblings, Walter, Naomi, and Ethel. He enjoyed a typical childhood for the times, yet the onset of the Great Depression created hardship for all, and Mitch's family was no exception. When he was ten years old, his family moved from Ohio to the Columbia City, Indiana area. During his youth, he often skipped town in the summers for the Hann Farm where he worked and stayed with family members there. From his earliest years, Mitch was quite musically inclined. He played the harmonica and guitar, and it made for great times when Mitch and his brother accompanied their father as he played the fiddle. He also enjoyed painting and building things.

While in school, Mitch worked for Methods Grocery in Columbia City. There he pumped gas, serviced the cars, and cleaned cabins for 10 cents an hour for guitar lessons. In high school, Mitch met Martha Ilene McCoy. They began dating, and Mitch went on to graduate from Columbia City High School with the Class of 1940.

Not long after on January 24, 1941, Mitch married his sweetheart, and they soon began a family to call their own. However, duty called during World War II, and Mitch was drafted to serve in the U.S. Navy. For two years he was stationed on the U.S.S. Louisville during the Pacific campaign. Having been awarded ten service medals, while on board the heavy cruiser he witnessed one of three kamikaze strikes to hit the ship during the war, and achieved the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. He left for the service when his son, Roger, was merely nine months old, and upon his return, his firstborn was four years old. Nearly five years later they welcomed the birth of their little girl, Carol, who completed their family.

Mitch worked as a welder and molder in LaPorte, eventually working for the Dana Corporation until retiring after 30 years. Mitch worked hard to support his family. They enjoyed special times and getaways together, which made for lasting memories. Mitch also continued his love for playing music which never waned. He and Martha loved square dancing, and danced in every state with the exception of Idaho. Sadly, Mitch's life forever changed when his beloved Martha died on August 17, 1998.

Love was not lost for Mitch. Being the very talented musician he was, he always kept busy with his music. He often went to the Mountain Music Store in Warsaw to play and socialize. One day while there he met Elsie Saksa. Having recently lost her husband, she was there visiting her daughter, Royal, who owned and operated the music store. That day Elsie and Mitch played music together for over four hours. During the week she was there, they also went out for lunch several times before she left to return home to Fairfield, Illinois. Shortly after meeting Elsie and undergoing surgical repair of an aneurysm, Mitch ran into Royal and asked for her mother's phone number.

Mitch called Elsie and visited her in Fairfield. He talked her into leaving with him to show him a better route back to Columbia City, and a chance to see her daughter in Warsaw, too. A year later on September 6, 2000, Mitch married this lovely woman he came to know and love. The best of companions and with their shared love for music, Mitch and Elsie enjoyed playing at area nursing homes and various other events. One of his special places to play was at the Rubrake Family Reunion. Even though Mitch was not a family member, he was a welcomed guest. To repay their hospitality, Mitch enlightened all with a little entertainment.

Mitch enjoyed traveling and always looked forward to seeing his son in Florida. One time they met up with Roger and his family in Corbin, Kentucky. Mitch so enjoyed spending time with his grandkids there, playing and swimming in the pool together. He and Elsie also traveled to Seattle, Washington, and Branson, Missouri to see shows and listen to the great music offered there. For nine years, Mitch and Elsie coordinated getting his graduating class together. They always met at Richards Restaurant for lunch, and when they met for the last time in 2012, five members remained. Mitch loved eating at Richards, but even more, he loved socializing there.

After being a member of the Fraternal order of Eagles Lodge #1906 for many years, it was discovered that Mitch was their longest Eagles member. He was inducted as a lifetime member which was a very proud moment for Mitch. Above all, Mitch absolutely loved the U.S. Navy and was a proud member of the American Legion Post #98 and the VFW #5582, where he had been a past Post Commander. He learned a great deal serving in the Navy, and many of those traits remained. Mitch was immaculately clean and very well organized. He made sure the dishes and laundry was always done, and nothing was ever out of place, including his well organized closet and tool area. Besides being well groomed and a sharp dresser, his shoes were always clean and shined. He was also one for repetition. For breakfast, Mitch lined up five boxes of cereal and poured an even layer of each into his cereal bowl, and would top it off with five little squares of shredded wheat as the sixth layer. This echoed Mitch's routine for years, like buying his daughter Carol a box of chocolate covered cherries for Christmas each year.

Mitch was member of Oak Grove Church of God. For years, it was not uncommon to see him on the harmonica or guitar playing in the Columbia City area. Mitch also enjoyed playing cards and Euchre. If he had a good hand, he'd slam it down on the table, getting everyone's attention. Even at the nursing home, if you laid a deck of cards out, he could place them in order. He also liked playing Solitaire. Another thing he enjoyed was reading, and not just books, but everything! In the car, he would read every road sign. He even noticed the nurses at the nursing home going up to the code reader to get out. He followed behind them one time, and read "Pull Here" next to the code box, so he pulled here, and the fire station was dispatched!

Even with the loss of his hearing from the service, Mitch's love for music remained and was a mainstay in his heart and head. In the end, Mitch had dementia, and Elsie lovingly visited him at the nursing home daily. His stepdaughter, Royal worked there, too. He fought hard to live to the age of 95, and came so very close, but it was not to be. There was much to love about Mitch, and he will be remembered fondly by those who came to know and love him.

Former U.S. Navy sailor, Clarice E. Mitch Mitchell, 94, of Warsaw, Indiana, lifted his earthly anchor at 6:10 p.m., April 10, 2015, and will report for duty with his Heavenly Father. Mitch is survived by his wife, Elsie of Warsaw; his children, Roger Mitchell of Lake City, FL and Carol (Mike) Fahl of Columbia City; stepchildren, Steve (Linda) Saksa, Sandy (Butch) Smith, Royal (Phil) Smith and Cec (Pat) Szeplakay; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Martha; daughter-in-law, Sheri Mitchell; brother, Walter Mitchell; sisters, Naomi Trier and Ethel Nicodemus; and granddaughter, Lisa Nichole Mitchell.

Visitation with Mitch's family will be held Wednesday, April 15, 2015, 4-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 16, 2015 at the funeral home with Pastor Steve Johnson and Pastor Denny Bollenbacher officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove (Compton) Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given in his memory to Masons Health and Rehab Terrace.