Memorials › Lee Mitchell
? – 1 May 2012
| Birth | ? |
| Death | 1 May 2012 |
| Cemetery | Calvary Cemetery Winnebago , Winnebago County , Illinois , USA |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95591697 |
Lee Mitchell Lee Mitchell, 84, died May 1, 2012, of a broken heart. He had just recently suffered the loss of Joan, his high school sweetheart and wife of 63 years. They married right out of college, spent a few years out east and then settled in the Chicago area. They moved from Mount Prospect to Rockford in 1963, along with their four kids, Lynn, Bruce, Ann and Scott, and the family dog, Penny. Lee and Joan lived in their Rockford home for 49 years, always with a dog. Joan and Lee grew up in the small town of Murphysboro. Lee's father was an electrician in a coal mine and later opened his own auto repair shop. Of course, young Lee was there helping out and learned early on about engines. He could repair nearly anything with some baling wire and duct tape and a few essential tools. He learned to love hard work. Little Lee Mitchell was a local phenomenon as the drum major for the Sons of the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps of Murphysboro. He was a very small kid, and the crowds were always impressed by this "little child" in front, twirling his baton. The Corps won 1st in state in August 1937, just after Lee turned 10, and went on to New York to the National Convention; so many memories there. Lee served briefly in the Navy right at the end of World War II and went on to college. He was very proud to receive his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Rose Polytechnic, now Rose-Hulman, in Terre Haute, Ind. He then attended night school to earn a law degree while working days full-time for General Electric. He was a self-made man and often spoke of Joan's support during that period, saying he couldn't have done it without her. Self-admittedly a stubborn man, Lee's persistence, determination and personal integrity combined with his thirst for knowledge to create a brilliant patent attorney, specializing in electrical inventions. He was well-respected by his partners at Leydig, Voit and Mayer Law Firm. Some of his law partners became hunting and fishing buddies, as well. He also was instrumental in the success of Lake Summerset, a lakeside community developed outside of Durand. He was a "founding father" of that community, serving as its 1st President, drafting the first very-detailed handbooks and bylaws and providing legal counsel. Lee loved the great outdoors. He fished the rivers and lakes of Illinois his whole life and took his sons out fishing many times. He joined up with his friend, Vince, from the University Club to lease some land on the Mississippi River for a fishing base camp. He went on Canadian fishing trips for muskie, walleye, and northern pike; goose hunted with brother-in-law, Joe Purcell, in Southern Illinois; and took several trips with Bruce to Brazil in search of peacock bass and to Costa Rica for tarpon. Give him a small boat with an outboard and a fishing rod, and he was a happy man. In retirement, Lee and Joan bought a motor home, packed up the dog and travelled the country for more than 20 years. They loved to visit national parks and other beautiful sites. They became part of an RV social community and met up with friends out on the road in Minnesota, Texas, Arizona or California. They stopped in Murphysboro to visit Lee's sister (and Joan's best friend), Jane, and brother-in-law, Joe, on their way south for the winter. Their final motor home trip was summer 2011 when they drove out to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to meet up with Lynn and Bruce to stay in the Tetons. Lynn and Bruce are blessed with many wonderful memories of their parents, Joan and Lee. This is Lee's obituary, but we can hardly think of them separately. They had, as Lee was fond of saying, "a good ride around the Merry-Go-Round." Lee's survivors include son, Bruce Mitchell; daughter, Lynn (John) Boreen; grandchildren, Sarah, Mark, Jeff, Carol and Kevin; sister, Jane Purcell; and nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Gayle from Home Instead for her assistance and friendship. A time of remembering and celebrating Lee's long, full life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, in Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road, with the Rev. Edward Seisser opening with prayer and reflections. Then we will share stories and invite those attending to do the same. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the funeral chapel. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Please no flowers or contributions to the family. If you wish, please make a donation to your local humane society or favorite charity. Extend condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on August 19, 2012
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