Albert ''Mitch'' L. Mitchell

Albert Lyle ''Mitch'' Mitchell was born November 9, 1929 in Williams, Minnesota. He was the son of Fredrick and Florence (Dollarhide) Mitchell. Mitch was raised and received his education in the Williams area, graduating from high school in 1948.

Upon graduation from high school, Mitch was employed at various jobs including working in the potato fields and as an automobile mechanic for John Gillie. He was inducted into the service of his country on February 27, 1952, serving in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. During his enlistment, Sergeant Mitchell was assigned to Company B, 64th Tank Batalion. While serving in Korean, Mitch received the Purple Heart for injuries received from shrapnel wound on November 10, 1953. In addition to the Purple Heart, Sergeant Mitchell received the decoration and medals: Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. Upon his discharge from active service on September 28, 1953, Mitch was transferred to the Army Reserve for eight years.

Mitch returned to Williams, Minnesota upon completion of his military service and accepted employment as a heavy equipment operator. He later moved to Oklahoma where on December 23, 1966 Mitch was united in marriage to Wilma (Griffith) in McAlester. The couple moved frequently during the next five years as Mitch worked at various jobs in the heavy equipment business. In 1971, Mitch and Wilma moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma where they established their home. During the next twenty-eight years, Mitch was employed by Allstate, Rollins Construction and M. J. Lee. Eventually, Mitch was hired by Tulsa County and he worked for the county for many years, retiring in 1999.

The skills he developed during his life working on automobiles and heavy equipment led to his working on small engines during his spare time. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. Additionally, Mitch was an active member of the both the Veterans of Foreign War and the American Legion.

Mitch passed away on Monday, November 4, 2002 at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of seventy-two years, eleven months and twenty-five days. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Keith and Maynard as well as his sisters Opal, Lola and Vickie.

He is survived by his wife, Wilma Mitchell, of the home; son, Lyle Mitchell of Cleveland, Oklahoma; step children, Melva Barela of Sapello, New Mexico; Hubert Williams of Cleveland, Oklahoma; sisters, Thelma Vratshasky of Pason, Arizona; Mavis of Fort Pierre, South Dakota; brothers, Dave Mitchell of Spiro, Oklahoma; Les Mitchell of Fort Pierre, South Dakota; grandchildren, Dustin and Kevin Mitchell of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; Brandon Mitchell of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; step grandchildren, Paul Hunziker of Dyersburg, Tennessee; Michael Hunziker of Dyersburg, Tennessee; Stormi Catty of San Antonio, Texas; G.W. Williams of Cleveland, Oklahoma; five great step grandchildren, Cyndi Catty of San Antonio, Texas; Libby Ann Catty of San Antionio, Texas; Amanda and Kayla Hunziker of Dyersburg, Tennessee; Sam Logan Hunziker of Dyersburg, Tennessee;

Funeral services will be held Friday November 8, 2002 at 2:00 pm at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Bill Lewis officiating. Following cremation, Mitch will be interred in the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Inc.