Earl Junior Mitchell

, age 88 of Galesburg, Illinois, formerly of Stronghurst, died at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday January 29, 2014 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg. He was born December 29, 1925 in Galesburg, the son of Earl G. and Emelie Asquith Mitchell. On August 19, 1948, he married Shirley Cox in Kahoka, Missouri. She preceded him in death on March 6, 2002.

Mr. Mitchell graduated from Avon High School in Avon, IL and then served in the Pacific Theater with the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Following his military service, he farmed in rural Elmwood, IL until the mid 1960's, and then managed the Alexander Lumber Company in Stronghurst until his retirement in 1991. He was a 60 year member and past master of the Farmington, Illinois Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Farmington American Legion. When living in Stronghurst, he was a volunteer fireman for the MST Fire Department, an EMT for the Stronghurst Ambulance Service, and a member of the Stronghurst Presbyterian Church. He recently attended Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg.

Survivors include one daughter, Linda (Lynn) Leinbach of Stronghurst, one son, Dan (Eva) Mitchell of Raleigh, NC, two grandsons, Scott (Angie) Leinbach of West Burlington, IA, Chad (Andrea) Leinbach of Carthage, IL, four great grandsons, Mason and Mitchell Leinbach, and Isaac and Owen Leinbach, one sister, Maxine Brown of Eureka, IL, and one brother, Richard Mitchell of Torrance, CA. He was preceded in death by his wife and one sister, Marilyn Mitchell.

Masonic Rites, and a funeral service, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. Burial, with military rites will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Farmington, IL. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services, at Banks & Beals. In lieu of flowers, memorial funds have been established for OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg, and Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab in Stronghurst. Condolences may be left at banksandbeals.com