Gerald Mitchell

GERALD JOSEPH "JERRY" MITCHELL

Alburnett

Gerald Joseph "Jerry" Mitchell, 81, of Alburnett, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. A parish vigil service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. Following the vigil service, the family will greet friends until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be

at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2, at St. Stephens Catholic Church, Central City. Burial will take place at Springville Cemetery, Springville.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Mary Ann of Alburnett; children, James (Tamra) Mitchell of Robins, John (Tammara) Mitchell of Marion, Joan (Randy) Butler of Cedar Rapids, Sharon (Joe) Lutgens of Cedar Rapids, Daniel Mitchell of Vevey, Switzerland, and Mark (Linda) Mitchell of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Ashton and Kristin Mitchell, Aurora and Isaac Mitchell, Matthew, Greg (Courtney), Logan and Nolan Butler, Ben and Lauren Lutgens, Victor and Camille Mitchell and Ryan and Marissa Mitchell; four great-grandchildren, Liam, Eva, Arabella and Wyatt; siblings, Lawrence Mitchell, Raymond (LaVon) Mitchell, David Mitchell, Esther (Jim) Benesh and Earl (Donna) Mitchell; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Teresa; infant daughter, Lora Ann; brothers, Kenneth, James, Leon "Peter" and William; and sisters, Mary Jo Colsch and Teresa Kubitz.

Jerry was born May 15, 1936, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of James and Teresa (Hammell) Mitchell. He graduated from New Albin High School and attended Loras College. Jerry was a peacekeeper in Germany while serving in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. In 1958, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Rommes in Caledonia, Minn. Jerry was employed at John Deere in Dubuque from 1960 to 1961 and beginning in 1962, at Collins Radio until he retired from Rockwell Collins in 1992.

He was a member of St. Stephens Catholic Church in Central City, where he was very involved, serving on the church building committee, being a CCD instructor, a parish council member, member of the men's group and many other activities. Jerry also was involved in the Knights of Columbus and St. Pius X Men of Action group. He was a former board member at USA Communications. Jerry enjoyed spending time with family, attending family game nights, woodworking and watching grandchildren's activities.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Stephens Catholic Church in Jerry's memory.

Please share a memory of Jerry at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.