Kenneth L. Mitchell

Kenneth L. Mitchell , 95, of Burlington, died at 7:32 AM Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.

Born August 22, 1925, in Burlington, he was the son of James Willis and Doris Elizabeth Ahlberg Mitchell. On June 9, 1950, he married Sarah "Sally" L. Parks in Michigan. 

He left High School to join the Navy in 1942 and served aboard the battleship USS Arkansas during the invasion of North Africa. He was then transferred to the destroyer escort USS Bangust in the Pacific theatre. He was discharged on December 23, 1945 and returned home. After learning to fly, he joined the Air Force in 1946 and took equivalency exams to reach the rank of cadet. He served in CID at Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan until his discharge in 1950. 

He worked as an appliance repairman for K and G Service Center, as a service manager for Montgomery Ward and a service technician for Sears. He later worked as an HVAC Instructor for the South Campus of Southeastern Community College until his retirement. After his retirement, he did volunteer work at Keokuk Area Hospital, the emergency room at Great River Medical, James Madison and Horace Mann Middle Schools, the Heritage Center and the Welcome Center in Burlington.

He was of Methodist faith and was a member of Asbury Methodist Church. Ken was an avid reader. He enjoyed flying and even owned a few planes. He was a dedicated volunteer for 30 years and gave his time to many organizations throughout the community and was a recipient of the 2014 Bill Mertens Citizenship Caring Award. Ken was always known for having Lifesaver mints in his pocket. 

Survivors include his wife, Sally of Burlington; son, Brian N. (Anne) Mitchell of Burlington; grandchildren, Amanda (Brandon) Burgus of Riverside, IA, and Scott Mitchell of Lakewood, CO; great-grandchildren, Parker Burgus and Brinley Burgus both of Riverside, IA;  brother, William Mitchell of Burlington; and sister, Anna Baltz of Albequerque, NM.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, James Mitchell, Charles Mitchell, and Richard Mitchell and one sister, Neva Sanford. 

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.

A private family memorial service for Mr. Mitchell will be at a later date. Burial will be in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard.  

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. 

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