GWINN - Robert F. Mitchell, 74, of Gwinn, entered eternal life Wednesday evening, Nov. 18, 2009, in the Hospice Suite located at Marquette General Hospital, with his loving family by his side.
Born Jan. 22, 1935, in Engadine, a son of Wayne and Ora (Traver) Mitchell, Bob was raised in Flint and graduated from high school there.
He joined the U.S. Coast Guard, serving for four years before entering the active military reserve. Bob retired from the military following a 14-year career of service to his country with the rank of chief boatswain's mate.
During his military service, he met his future wife, Christine E. Berglin, and the couple was married on Oct. 26, 1958, in Hampton Bays, Long Island, N.Y. Bob and Christine came to the Upper Peninsula, residing in Naubinway for a year before returning to Hampton Bays where they established their home and began raising a family.
In Hampton Bays, Bob was employed as a commercial fisherman. Toward the end of 1968, the family moved to Gwinn.
Locally, Bob was employed as a sheet metal worker by Dresseler Mechanical, Inc for several years and through Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 7. He retired April 1, 1999.
From 1978 until the closure of K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Bob and Christine owned and operated the Twin Pines Trailer Court in Gwinn.
Bob had two major passions throughout his life; his family and being a Mason. Bob loved his family and was particularly interested in the lives of his grandchildren. He loved the outdoors, hunting, four-wheeling, and gardening. Gardening, for Bob, was a family affair where he directed his children and grandchildren on the various fine points of gardeningas he saw it. Tomatoes were a favorite. As a Mason, he was an active member and Past Master of Teal Lake Lodge F & AM 202 of Negaunee, Scottish Rite where he was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Award on June 6, member of the Royal Arch Masons and Ahmed Shrine where he marched for years in Masonic parades. His other Masonic affiliations also included serving on the Director's Staff and a member of the Tri-City Shrine Club.
Bob was also an active member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Gwinn and had, for many years, been scout master of Boy Scout Troop 333 in Gwinn.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Christine; his children, Robert W. (Caryn) Mitchell of Escanaba, Deborah Hurkman and Matthew (Kristen) Mitchell, both of Gwinn; his grandchildren, Randy and Jessie Hurkman, Laci and Heidi Mitchell; three sisters, Florence (Wendell) Hunt and Judy (Richard) Messler, both of Flint, and Patricia Chesser of Arkansas; a brother, Jack (Esther) Mitchell of Gwinn; several nieces and nephews; and his faithful canine companion, Faith, the English Cocker.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant brother, Franklin Mitchell.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the Grace Lutheran Church, Gwinn, on Saturday, Nov. 21, beginning, at noon.
Masonic services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 3 p.m. with Rev. George Candea-Kromm officiating.
Burial with veteran's honors will be held at the Forsyth Township Cemetery, Gwinn.
Pallbearers will be Randy Hurkman, Brad and Scott Mitchell, John Vercoe, Gordon Peterson, Joe Juidici, John Quigley, Alan Nelson, Wesley Mattson, and Bob Morrison.
A reception for family and friends will be held in the church fellowship hall.
Memorials may be directed to the Grace Lutheran Church Building Fund, Ahmed Shrine Transportation Fund or Teal Lake Lodge F & AM 202.
The Swanson Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at www.fassbenderswanson.com
