Jefferson T. Mitchell

He was preceded in death by his parents, John L. and Martha Adams Mitchell; his wife of 36 years, Jane Williams Mitchell; his sister, Joanne Mitchell Cochran; and his brothers John L. Mitchell Jr., and infant Frank White Mitchell.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 23 years, Gail E. Mitchell of Ft. Myers, FL; his daughters, Jaqi Eringman (Jim) of Pickerington, OH, Janet Mitchell of Cary, IL, and step-daughter, Shaunna Schneider of Fort Myers, FL; his grandchildren, Joseph Eringman of Columbus, OH, John Eringman of Cincinnati, OH, Samantha Leach (Kevin Cluppert) of Los Angeles, Jefferson Leach of Cleveland, OH, and Sara Leach of Cary, IL, and step-grandson, J.J. Schneider of Orlando, FL; one great grandchild, Tyler Mitchell Eaken of Cary, IL; and his precious kitties, Winnie and Heidi. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews from whom he received great joy and family connection.

Growing up, he lived in Kentucky, New York, and Ohio, graduating from Lakewood High School in 1953. He graduated Ohio University in 1957. Upon graduating college, he began his career at Lorain Products in Lorain, OH. He settled and raised his family in Bay Village, OH where he and Jane developed a group of loyal and devoted, lifetime friends. In 1977, he moved his family to pursue an exciting job opportunity in Crystal Lake, IL, with Power Conversion Products, Inc. from which he retired in 1998. He and Gail maintained residences in Vermilion, OH, and Ft. Myers, FL for 15 years until settling in Ft. Myers permanently.

Jeffer was known to all for his superb intellect, his unique wit, his love of storytelling, and his great talents in the kitchen. He loved all things related to fine dining – creating and indulging in the meal. He was never without a book, an opera, or a crossword puzzle to stimulate and challenge his creativity. He traveled extensively in the U.S. with Jane and, later, overseas with Gail.

Donations in his name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org; Friends of Animals www.foautah.org; or a local animal shelter of your choice.

No memorial services will be conducted. All he would ask is that we live in peace, treat others as we wish to be treated, continue sharing memories with our loved ones and... “Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.”