We recently lost a very special man. James E. Mitchell, Jr. age 66 of Benton was a loving husband, father, grandfather, best friend and Whitsitt Farms Employee of the Year. As a man who never met a stranger, Jim (or Pop-Pop to his dearest Sidney) enjoyed spending time with his family and granddaughter, helping project with his friends, cooking for his church and boating on Kentucky Lake.
Jim passed away in Lake St. Louis, MO, on Wednesday, July 18th, with his family by his side. He will live on in our hearts and be forever missed.
Born to James E. and Flora Maxine Mitchell in Carmi, IL, on February 19th, 1952, Jim was one of three children in the Mitchell family. Jim married the love of his life, Arla Meler, in 1976, and they had their only son, Jarad, in 1982. They resided in Carmi, IL until 2014.
After retiring in 2014, Jim and Arla, hand-in-hand, proceeded to live out their dream by building a home on Kentucky Lake where family and friends could gather. They quickly became active members of the Maple Spring United Methodist Church and continued their love for their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In 2016, they celebrated the birth of their first grandchild, Sidney Ann Mitchell, and traveled frequently to St. Louis, MO, to spend time with her. Little time could pass that Sidney did not get to see her beloved Pop-Pop.
Jim traveled the country driving over two million miles commercially without an accident and always had a story to tell. He helped those who asked and those who didn t. Never one to turn down a challenge, Jim was always able to find a way to get the job done and make a new friend while doing so. The world was always better off with Jim nearby.
Jim was preceded in death by his favorite mother, Maxine, and is survived by his father, James, his sisters, Myra Hudspeth and Lisa Leuellen, his dearest wife, Arla, his son and daughter-in-law, Jarad and Nicole, and his beloved granddaughter, Baby Sidney.
Visitation will be Sunday, 12 to 2, service at 2 at Maple Spring Methodist Church, Benton
Submitted by his wife Arla.