Henry Herbert and Joyce Ann (Schrader) Mitchell
Henry Herbert and Joyce Ann (Schrader) Mitchell went to be with their Lord on Thursday October 26, 2023 due to a fatal car accident while coming home from dinner together at one of their favorite diners.
Henry (better known as Herb to most) was born June 2, 1940 in Littlefield, Texas to the late Charles and Janie Mitchell. Joyce was born on April 2, 1942 in Belle Center to the late Henry and Lydia (Metzger) Schrader. Henry was always very proud to tell anyone that he was born in the same town as Waylon Jennings.
Henry and Joyce were married on January 14, 1962 in Belle Center and spent the rest of their lives together for over 61 years.
After graduating from high school in Panhandle, Texas, Henry was drafted into the U.S. Army and served active duty from 1959-1961 and active and inactive reserve duty until 1965. After his release from active duty in 1961, he was employed as a telephone line crew installer for Bell Telephone in Perryton, Texas. After adopting their son Brian, and their daughter Darla, Henry and Joyce decided to move to Ohio where their youngest daughter, Laurie, was born. Henry was a telephone repairman/installer for GTE and then Verizon for 32 years. He also spent several years working for Montgomery Township taking care of the cemeteries.
Henry was also a proud member of American Legion Post 266 in Belle Center.
Above all, Henry was a family man and spent most of his off-work hours working to build a home with his young family. Later in life, Henry loved to go to auctions, woodworking (especially repairing and refinishing antiques for family and friends) and reading anything about World War II history.
Henry and Joyce both were proud owners and operators of the Village Kitchen Restaurant in LaRue for many years. Henry spent his time with building and equipment maintenance (and drinking coffee), and Joyce spent her time in the kitchen baking and cooking.
After graduating high school in Belle Center, Joyce worked at IGA grocery in Bellefontaine, where she met Henry’s sister Barb. Barb suggested to Joyce that she might write to Henry and that’s where a 61-year marriage relationship love story started. After moving back to Ohio, along with being a wonderful, loving mother to her 3 children, Joyce was a teller at Huntington Bank, and a bookkeeper/secretary for Eldridge Realty, both in Kenton.
Joyce loved baking, quilting, sewing, and cross stitch. She also loved all of the years she spent directing junior and senior choir in church.
Music was always a central part of Joyce’s life. She spent much of her early years playing guitar and singing with her brother, Foster, at various venues. Through the years, there were countless family musical gatherings with her extended family and son. Joyce also started the “Pickin and Grinnin” at the Village Kitchen where various family and friends entertained every Tuesday evening for many years. But most of all, Joyce loved using her musical talents to serve her Lord.
Surviving are their children, Brian Mitchell of Upper Sandusky, Darla Urban (John,deceased) of Cincinnati and
Laurie (Dan Sr.) Navarro of Belle Center. They were preceded in death by infant children, Michael Charles and twins, Glenna Ann and Gary Albert
Grandchildren: Cortlyn (Wes) Edgar, Lane (Justine) Mitchell, Triston (Jill) Urban, Patrick Day, Jacob Urban, Katie Urban, Giovanni Urban, Sarah Urban, Dan (Ashley) Navarro Jr. and Sara Hough
Great-grandchildren: Rylee Urban, Mollie Urban, Bayley Urban, Paige Bradley, Mallori Urban, Maggie Navarro, Daniel Navarro III, Robert (Brittany) Hough, Natalie Hough
great great grandchildren, Paisley and Ellie Hough
Henry’s siblings, Jim Mitchell, Joe Mitchell, Barbara Lindeman and Paula Mitchell, all are deceased
Joyce’s siblings, Allie Schrader of Belle Center, Foster Schrader (deceased) and Robert Schrader (deceased)
Funeral services celebrating the lives of Henry and Joyce will be held Wednesday November 1, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home in LaRue. Larry Hause will officiate. Burial will follow in the LaRue Cemetery, where there will be Military Honors for Henry given by the Vietnam Veterans of America #1095. Friends may call Tuesday from 3-7 pm at the funeral home in LaRue.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Scioto Valley Fire District. at 100 North Front Street LaRue, Ohio 43332
Remembrances and condolences may be expressed at www.stofcheck-ballinger.com
Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home