Larry Robert Mitchell

Larry Robert Mitchell, 88, of Granger, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026, from complications to his very recent immunotherapy treatment for a cancer diagnosis.

Larry was born on August 2, 1937 in South Bend, Indiana, to Robert T. and Carmen L. Mitchell, both of whom preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was his sister, Sandra L. (Jim) Heffner of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Larry was born at his grandmother's house in River Park. He lived in and loved the River Park area. He attended the old Nuner School through 9th grade, then went to John Adams High School, graduating with the class of 1955.

Working at the concession stand at the River Park Theater was Mary Ellen Lochmandy, whom he met and fell in love with. On April 12, 1958 in South Bend, Indiana, he married the love of his life, Mary Ellen Lochmandy. To that union was born two children, Julie (Terry) Oldman and Ted (Shela) Mitchell; three grandchildren, Matthew Oldman, Corey Mitchell, and Chris (Kelly) Hurlbutt; and two great-grandchildren, Camren Mitchell and Kaitlyn Hurlbutt. Larry and Mary Ellen celebrated 67 years of marriage.

Larry was employed at Gates Chevrolet in Mishawaka, Indiana, for 56 years. Thirty of those years, he sold cars, and the rest of the years, he worked in the parts department. Larry was the recipient of Legion of Leaders at Chevrolet. He was successful at selling cars, because he knew cars and worked on his own cars. After a very short retirement, he returned and worked for Hoffman Brothers (Federated Auto Parts), delivering auto parts for nine years.

For years, he attended the annual classic car swap meets in Indianapolis. Later he enjoyed the car shows in our area, showing his classic cars. He loved his classic cars and would work on them, getting them in pristine running condition. Larry was an active member of the Studebaker Drivers Club.

Larry enjoyed the outdoors and loved watching the birds at his feeders and sitting outside on his swing. Gardening was a favorite hobby, along with caring for his yard.

Larry loved his family dearly and would do anything for them, and his family loved him just as much and will miss him terribly!

Funeral services for Larry will be held at 12:00pm on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Palmer Funeral Home – River Park Chapel, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, IN. Graveside services and burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger, IN. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00am-12:00pm on Friday at the funeral home prior to the service.

Contributions in memory of Larry may be donated to Riley Children's Foundation, 500 N. Meridian Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46204; or to River Park United Methodist Church, 920 S. 23rd Street, South Bend, IN 46615.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.