Obituary of Willard Mitchell

Willard W. Mitchell, 90, of Titusville, passed away Sunday afternoon January 3, 2016 at Marquette Hospice House in Meadville following a brief illness. Willard was born on May 5, 1925 at Reno, PA, a son of the late Charles and Maude Preston Mitchell. He was married to Elizabeth “Bettie” Hoban on Oct. 15, 1949 at St. Walburga Church. She preceded him in death on June 12, 2011. Willard was a veteran having served in the US Army during World War II. He entered the service on Aug. 19, 1943 at Erie, PA. He served as a medic with the 70th Infantry Division, 376th Medical Battalion. He was honorably discharged on April 22, 1946 at Ft. Dix, NJ. Willard worked his entire life on oil leases. He worked as a pipeline supervisor for Quaker State from 1971 until 1986 at which time he retired. He had also worked for B. Levy Estate, a pipe and supply company in Titusville, as a foreman. He also did timbering on his own. Willard was a member of the Bruce Shorts Post 5958 VFW and of the Cleo J. Ross Post 368 American Legion. He was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates fan; enjoyed hunting, gardening, spending time with his family, and going to camp with his brother Clay. He is survived by the following children; Anita Hover and husband Randy, Karen Metzgar and husband Charles, and Jan Gallagher, all of Titusville, Tom Mitchell and wife Charlotte “Char” of Centerville, and Jim Mitchell of Houston, TX; 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Clay Mitchell; and three sisters, June Hyde, Gladys Crawford, and Wilma McClelland. Friends may call at the Hennes-Garrett Funeral Home 203 E. Main St. Titusville on Wednesday from 4 to 7 PM and attend the funeral service there on Thursday at 11:00 AM with Rev. Timothy Maybray, pastor of the Titusville Free Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Rynd Farm Cemetery. The family asks that memorials be made to Hospice of Crawford County 406 W. Oak St. Titusville, PA 16354.