Donald L. Mitchell

Donald L. Mitchell, 83, of Topeka, passed away August 9, 2010, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was born January 26, 1927, in Ottawa, Kansas. He was the son of Earl A. and Mattie J. (Head) Mitchell. He was a 1944 graduate of Ottawa High School. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After completing basic training, he was sent to the Philippine Islands where he served during World War II until his honorable discharge in 1947. He worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone for 37 years, retiring in 1984. He married Barbara L. Kraus on August 2, 1947 at the First Christian Church in Emporia, Kansas.

Don enjoyed being a leader of Scouts from Cubs through Explorers. He also coached youth league baseball and basketball teams. Later in life he became a Master Woodworker, creating fine furniture and gifts for family and friends. He and Barbara loved playing golf and traveling with friends to play courses all over the country.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters and one brother.

Don is survived by his wife, three daughters, Deborah (Dennis) Schmidt of Wichita Falls, Texas; Donni (Dr. David) Benson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Carla (Jeff) Brown of Omaha, Nebraska, one son, Dr. Stephen (Diana) Mitchell, Sr. of Ft. Scott, Kansas; eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66604 on Friday at 1:00 pm. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery at 17th & Fairlawn. Family visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 603 S. W. Topeka Blvd., Suite 304B Topeka, KS 66603.