Lt. Colonel Paul F. Mitchell

Lt. Colonel Paul F. Mitchell

Lt. Colonel Paul F. Mitchell, Retired USAF, of Felton, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2015, from the Delaware Hospice Center, Milford, he was 86.  He was born in Greenville, PA to the late, Paul C. and Marion (Brown) Mitchell.

Lt. Colonel Mitchell attended the University of Cincinnati where he received two Masters Degrees in Economics and Counseling.  He loved to fly planes, and had his pilot’s license before the age of 16 before he even had a driver’s license.  He joined the Air Force as an enlisted airman where he began his career as a C124 Pilot, flying missions all over the globe for 24 years, and rose in ranks to a Lt. Colonel.  He taught ROTC and flight instruction at Notre Dame.  He was a diehard fighting Irish Notre Dame football fan.

Not only did Lt. Colonel Mitchell enjoy aviation and aircraft, but he also enjoyed vintage cars, especially those of the 1940’s.  He had a love of racing, and had perfect attendance for the past 58 years to the Indianapolis 500.  He nephew, David Cook, was especially dear to him as he went to all the races with him, and called him every Sunday to chat.  He was quite a jokester, and could always tell a good joke.  He and his wife, Lola, belonged to the Dover Dance Club, where they enjoyed and instructed Ballroom Dancing.  He also loved big band music and loved to listen to Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, and Count Basie among others.  His love of family was evident to everyone that knew him, and he was quite proud of his children and the fact that he and his wife, Lola had two sets of twins, each set a boy and a girl.  His quick wit, charm, and “old school” ways will forever be remembered and missed.

Lt. Colonel Mitchell was a member of the Commerative Air Force whose mission was to restore WWII aircrafts.  In his spare time, he would also volunteer at the Dover Air Base Aircraft Museum, something he thoroughly enjoyed.  He was also a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church and belonged to the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Margie Brewer.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Lola Mitchell of Felton; sons: Richard P. Mitchell of Lincoln, DE and William  E. (Cheryl) Mitchell of Hephzibah, GA; daughters:  Julia A. (Ed) Noland of Groveland, FL and Fae L. (Frank) Baudour of Harrington; brother, Jim (Nancy) Mitchell of Albion, PA; sisters:  Martha (Joe) Cook  and Ann (Myron) Blasko both of Hubbard, OH; and 5 grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening, April 8, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 S. DuPont Hwy., Harrington, DE.  Funeral Services will be held there on Thursday, April 9 at 11 a.m.

A separate visitation will take place on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at the Jean Evans Thompson Funeral Home, 11883 Main Street, East Springfield from 6 to 8 p.m.  A Funeral Mass will be held at the St. Lawrence Church on Monday, April 13, at 10 a.m.  Burial will follow at the Springfield Cemetery, East Springfield, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Dover Air Mobility Command Museum, Attn:  Eric Getz, 1301 Heritage Road, Dover, DE 19902