Milton Mitchell

Milton Mitchell

Axton-Milton William "Mitch" Mitchell of Axton, VA, formerly of Laurel and Bethany Beach, DE passed away peacefully on February 9, 2014. Mr. Mitchell was born February 8, 1927 in Salisbury, MD to Holland M. Mitchell and Ida Davenport Mitchell and grew up in Delmar, DE.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife of 36 years, Alycann Harkins Mitchell.



Mr. Mitchell graduated high school early to enlist in the Navy in March, 1944. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII with the 90th Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees). Mr. Mitchell attended Goldey-Beacom College where he studied accounting and finance.



During Mr. Mitchell's early career, he worked for Wilmington Trust, Chrysler Corporation, Delaware Park, and Addressograph- Multigraph in various accounting and sales positions.



Mr. Mitchell always said he was born with ink in his blood and worked in the newspaper industry for several decades. He started his career at Coastal Communications in advertising with the Delmarva News and Delaware Coast Press in the 1960's and 70's and then the newly formed Atlantic Publications in the 1980's and 1990's, serving as regional vice president in charge of Delaware as well as vice president in charge of marketing. He finished his publishing career in the 1990's working for Chesapeake Publishing at the Seaford Leader and State Register and the Milford Chronicle as regional advertising director. Mr. Mitchell was elected as president of the Maryland Delaware DC Press (MDDC) Association in 1988 and served until 1989. He was appointed by Governor Castle to the Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) during his publishing career. Mr. Mitchell also served as past president of the Laurel Lions Club and the Delmar Chamber of Commerce.



After retiring to Virginia, Mr. Mitchell volunteered with the Army Cory of Engineers and was honored as "District Volunteer of the Year" for providing more than 600 hours of volunteer service. Mr. Mitchell will be remembered for tireless commitment to his family and community.



He is survived by his second wife, Linda Mitchell of Axton, VA; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy Phillips (David) of Salisbury, MD; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy Wootten (Edsel) Laurel, DE; son, William Mitchell, Newark, DE; daughter and son-in-law, Peggy Mitchell-Elswick (Glenn), Delmar, DE; daughter and son-in-law, Holly Mitchell-Spahn (Lou), Redding, CA; daughter, Laura Lee Mitchell, Winston-Salem, NC; step-daughter, Ruth Easley, Martinsville, VA; step-son and daughter-in-law, Duke Easley (Debra), Martinsville, VA; sister, Frances Fisher, Seaford, DE; sister and brother-in-law, Amanda Morris (Brice), Federalsburg, MD; 15 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.



A Memorial Mass will be held for Mr. Mitchell at 11:00 am at the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home 700 West St. Laurel, DE on Tuesday, February 18, 2014. A visitation will also be held from 10-11:00 am. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery.

The family requests donations be made to Alzheimer's Association 240 North James Street

Suite 100A Newport, DE 19804 or the Laurel Lions Club - Journey For Sight P.O. Box 10 Laurel, DE 19956.