John William Mitchell

JOHN W. MITCHELL STAUNTON, VA John William Mitchell, 89, husband of Anne Bliss Mitchell, of 500 Wakefield Circle, died Thursday, July 25, 2013, at his residence. He was born June 18, 1924, in Duluth, Minnesota, the son of the late William and Clara (Larsen) Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell served in the U.S. Navy V12 program at Swarthmore College. He later received a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. Prior to his retirement in 1987, he was employed by Union Carbide Chemical Corporation in the international division. He was a member and elder of Covenant Presbyterian Church and a past member of the Staunton Rotary Club. In addition to his wife of 62 years, family members include three daughters and sons-in-law, Ellen Mitchell and James V. Hughes of Columbia, Maryland, Nancy Mitchell and Randall N. Green of Arlington, Virginia, and Patricia Mitchell and Kurt Waters of Centreville, Virginia; nine grandchildren, Bryan, Eric, and Kelly Hughes, Brandon, Rachel, Adam, and Jonathan Green, and Michael and Thomas Waters; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters. A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, July 29, 2013, at Covenant Presbyterian Church by the Rev. John C. Peterson. There will be a reception in the breezeway of the church following the service. Memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2001 N. Coalter Street, Staunton, VA 24401.