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Jackie ‘Jack’ Mitchell

Jackie Wayne “Jack” Mitchell

GWINN, Mich. — Jackie Wayne “Jack” Mitchell, 85 of Gwinn, passed away Feb. 18, 2019, at Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa, Ariz.

He was born Nov. 7, 1933, in Wheeler, Ill., a son of the late Wayne and Ora (Traver) Mitchell. He graduated in 1953 from Utley High School.

Jack worked in underground in the mines for CCI before working in sheet metal with the union in 1953. He moved to the Upper Peninsula in 1958 for work and served as the business agent for the Sheet Metal Union Local 94, 18 and 7, retiring in 1988.

Jack married Esther Miller in 1957 in Flint, Mich. The couple owned and operated the Gwinn A & W and later renamed Jack’s Drive In Restaurant from 1976 to 1987.

He served on the Marquette County Board of Commissioners, was a member the Shriners, Lions, Masonic Lodge, life member of the National Skeet Shooting Association, Forsyth Township Snowmobile Club, HOG, North American Hunting Club and the McFarland Camp. His interests included riding Harleys, racing snowmobiles, hunting and fishing trips around the USA and Canada and wintering in Florida and Arizona.

Jack is survived by his children, Scott (Cindy) Mitchell of Gladstone, Jacqueline (Daniel) Bolwerk of Negaunee and Bradley (Sally) Mitchell of Gwinn; grandchildren, Angela (fiance Kyle Johnson) Mitchell, Diana (Noah) Girard, Dan (Ashley) Wiltzius, Elizabeth (Chris) LaJoie, Ashley (Jacob) Perry, Drew Adair, Christy (Andrew) Church, Jillian (Russell) Steinbrecher, Elliott (Jodi) Burns; 12 great-grandchildren; siblings, Florence Hunt of Flint, Mich., Pat Chesser of Green Briar, Ariz., and Judy (Richard) Messler of Swartz Creek, Mich.; special friend, Josie Teptrow of Gold Canyon, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Esther in 2012, infant son, Mark, and brother, Robert.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Canale-Gwinn Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held in the funeral home at noon with Rev. Ron Westman officiating. Interment will take place in the Gwinn Cemetery with military honors.

Jack’s obituary may also be viewed at canalefuneral.com where memories may be shared.