William L. Mitchell, age 89, of La Porte passed away on August 13, 2014 at 5:50 AM at home surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born on January 5, 1925 to Mark L. and Katherine Blanche Mitchell in Cincinnati, OH. On August 24, 1946, he married Betty L. Ervin; she preceded him in death on July 29, 1999 after nearly 53 years of marriage.
He is survived by his beloved children, Stephen Mitchell of Burke, VA, Katherine Shott of Plymouth, IN, Marilyn Stazin of Geneva, IL, and his brother, Charles Mitchell of La Porte; grandchildren, Amanda Putz, Matthew Mitchell, Erin Anderson, Kevin Mitchell, and Ryan Mitchell; six great-grandchildren; and his loving companion, Bebejean Knoll.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and an infant brother (Mark).
William served in the Army Air Corps in WWII from 1943 to 1946 in Africa, Italy, and France. He was in four major campaigns and awarded a Bronze Star in each one. He was active in the Air Force Reserve, retiring in 1985 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He worked for the Admissions Office of the US Air Force Academy for the state of Indiana from 1954 to 1985 and was also awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal in 1977.
He graduated from La Porte High School in 1943 and received a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1949 from Indiana University (Bloomington) and a Master of Education degree in 1950. He taught school from 1952-1954 at Rolling Prairie High School; joined La Porte Community Schools in 1954 as a teacher of Business Subjects at La Porte High School. He worked in other positions in addition to teaching as a Counselor, Assistant Principal, and Principal from 1964-1969. Then, he served as Assistant Superintendent of La Porte Community Schools from 1969 to 1985. During that time, he was instrumental in the planning and construction of the present La Porte High School.
He belonged to a number of organizations including Phi Delta Kappa (Education Honorary); Salvation Army Board 1964-1985; American Red Cross Board; Elder, Deacon, and Trustee of the La Porte Presbyterian Church; La Porte Rotary Club - President 1973-1974; Member of the Indiana High School Principal's Association; Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents; and Life Member of the Indiana PTA.
He was also active in evaluating high schools for the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools serving as Chairman several times, both in the state of Indiana and other states including Anchorage, Alaska.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held in his honor on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at The La Porte Presbyterian Church at 11 AM. Pastor Sally Wicks will officiate. Burial will follow at Pine Lake Cemetery in La Porte. Family and friends will be received from 10-11 AM prior to the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 130 Red Coach Dr., Mishawaka, IN 46545.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Mitchell, please visit our flower store.
He was born on January 5, 1925 to Mark L. and Katherine Blanche Mitchell in Cincinnati, OH. On August 24, 1946, he married Betty L. Ervin; she preceded him in death on July 29, 1999 after nearly 53 years of marriage.
He is survived by his beloved children, Stephen Mitchell of Burke, VA, Katherine Shott of Plymouth, IN, Marilyn Stazin of Geneva, IL, and his brother, Charles Mitchell of La Porte; grandchildren, Amanda Putz, Matthew Mitchell, Erin Anderson, Kevin Mitchell, and Ryan Mitchell; six great-grandchildren; and his loving companion, Bebejean Knoll.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and an infant brother (Mark).
William served in the Army Air Corps in WWII from 1943 to 1946 in Africa, Italy, and France. He was in four major campaigns and awarded a Bronze Star in each one. He was active in the Air Force Reserve, retiring in 1985 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He worked for the Admissions Office of the US Air Force Academy for the state of Indiana from 1954 to 1985 and was also awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal in 1977.
He graduated from La Porte High School in 1943 and received a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1949 from Indiana University (Bloomington) and a Master of Education degree in 1950. He taught school from 1952-1954 at Rolling Prairie High School; joined La Porte Community Schools in 1954 as a teacher of Business Subjects at La Porte High School. He worked in other positions in addition to teaching as a Counselor, Assistant Principal, and Principal from 1964-1969. Then, he served as Assistant Superintendent of La Porte Community Schools from 1969 to 1985. During that time, he was instrumental in the planning and construction of the present La Porte High School.
He belonged to a number of organizations including Phi Delta Kappa (Education Honorary); Salvation Army Board 1964-1985; American Red Cross Board; Elder, Deacon, and Trustee of the La Porte Presbyterian Church; La Porte Rotary Club - President 1973-1974; Member of the Indiana High School Principal's Association; Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents; and Life Member of the Indiana PTA.
He was also active in evaluating high schools for the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools serving as Chairman several times, both in the state of Indiana and other states including Anchorage, Alaska.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held in his honor on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at The La Porte Presbyterian Church at 11 AM. Pastor Sally Wicks will officiate. Burial will follow at Pine Lake Cemetery in La Porte. Family and friends will be received from 10-11 AM prior to the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 130 Red Coach Dr., Mishawaka, IN 46545.