Mildred Fern (Downs) Mitchell
Mildred Fern (Downs) Mitchell, 78 of Prospect, passed away Saturday morning, April 12, 2014 at the DeWolfe Place in Marion.
She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 14, 1935 to the late Gilbert and Edna (Reedy) Downs.
Mildred was a graduate of Johnsville High School in Morrow County. She was a former member of the Mt. Gilead Nazarene Church where she had served as pianist. She later served as treasurer of the Green Camp Baptist Church. Upon graduating from The Ohio State University, she taught kindergarten for thirty-five years at Elgin South Elementary. She loved teaching each of her 1500+ students and further contributed by mentoring student teachers, participating in the Ohio Education Association and Marion County Teachers Association, and serving as treasurer of the Elgin Band Boosters. Mildred was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who enjoyed traveling with her family, crocheting and gardening, and documenting life through photography.
On August 26, 1956 she married Dan Mitchell in the Mt. Gilead Nazarene Church and he survives in Prospect. She is also survived by her daughter, Dr. Heidi (Mike) Ries, Centerville (Dayton); her son, Dan (Terri) Mitchell, Columbus; two grandchildren, Timothy Joseph Ries and Rosamiel Rene Ries; a sister, Rosalie (Gerry) Wittington, Tamaroa, Illiniois; two brothers, Russell (Donna) Downs, Mt. Vernon; Fred (Carol) Downs, Frankfort, Indiana; a sister-in-law, Marrbell Downs, Bucyrus; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Marvin Downs.
The Mitchell family is deeply grateful for the loving care Mildred received from the staff “angels” at DeWolfe Place, as well as Acclaim Hospice.
Private family services will be held at the Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home, Prospect.
Memorial gifts may be made to Acclaim Hospice, 1199 Delaware Ave, Marion, OH 43302 or Alzheimer’s Association, 1379 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215
Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.stofcheck-ballinger.com
Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home