John W. "Jack" Mitchell

1935 - 2022

John W. "Jack" Mitchell
Born: February 10, 1935 in Ottawa, IL
Died: November 26, 2022 in Ottawa, IL
Lifelong Ottawa resident John W "Jack" Mitchell passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 26, 2022.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 3rd at St Columba Catholic Church with the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Honor Guard in attendance. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Nicolas Wilson officiating and Rev. Michael Driscoll concelebrating. Burial will take place at St. Columba Cemetery where Full Military Rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard. A Celebration of Life will be held, immediately following burial, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 401 W Main Street, Ottawa, Illinois. Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa is handling arrangements.
Jack was born in Ottawa to John F. Mitchell and Helen (Schneider) Mitchell on February 10, 1935. Jack lost his mother shortly after his birth and was raised by a single father and three older sisters Martha (McGinty), Joan (Hall) and Helen (Burke) who preceded him in death.
He attended St. Columba Grade School and Marquette High School, just a stone's throw away, but in the famous Jack stories he would "walk miles to school uphill and miles back uphill in the dark or freezing snow." Jack graduated from Marquette in 1953 (with only a little bit of frostbite). He then married Mary Lou (Miller) Mitchell on May 25, 1957, the love of his life until the day he died — whom he proposed to on their very first date, a story Jack loved to tell. They had four children, Susan (Fiancé Frank Czekajlo) Mitchell, Julie (Keith) Johnson, John R. "Jackie" Mitchell, and Charles (Diane Stelken) Mitchell.
Jack was preceded in death by his son, John R. "Jackie" Mitchell. Jack and Mary Lou lost Jackie in 1989 after a lengthy illness which shaped their family's entire outlook on life. If you've met a Mitchell, you know they don't sweat the small stuff and are full of humor. Jack was always armed with an incredible grin and good joke that would light up a party instantly. He was always quick to share a great story and never forget any of the details, even when the end was near. He could strike up an interesting and lengthy conversation with anyone. If you met Jack, you remembered.
Jack was also dedicated to giving back to his community. Over the years he served on many boards including The Ottawa Jaycees, The Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ambucs, Friendship Facilities Governing Board where he was bestowed with their highest honor, the Phoenix Award, in addition to being a member of the Illinois Association of Realtors. A 4th Degree Knight through the Ottawa Knights of Columbus, Jack was devoted to his religion and his family. Especially proud of his service in the US Army, Jack went on to work at LOF Glass, Feehan-McClellan Insurance, and Commonwealth Edison. In the 70s and 80s, he founded Jack's Bike n Trike where the company 'conventions' were a much anticipated and enjoyed outing of the Mitchell's and their circle of friends over the years. Jack Mitchell was someone who sold you your first bike and made you feel like it was your first car.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren Jacqueline (Salvador) Saland, Max and Jakob Mitchell and the honorary pallbearers will be his great-grandchildren Charlotte and Maverick Saland.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to Friendship Facilities (FriendshipHouseIllinois.org/ways-to-give), or The Ottawa Pads Shelter.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433