Jackie ‘Jack’ Mitchell

GWINN, MI – Jackie Wayne “Jack” Mitchell, 85 of Gwinn, passed away February 18, 2019 at Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa, Arizona.

He was born November 7, 1933 in Wheeler, IL, a son of the late Wayne and Ora (Traver) Mitchell. He graduated in 1953 from Utley High School.

Jack worked in underground in the mines for CCI before working in sheet metal with the union in 1953. He moved to the Upper Peninsula in 1958 for work and served as the business agent for the Sheet Metal Union Local #94, #18 and #7, retiring in 1988.

Jack married Esther Miller in 1957 in Flint, MI. The couple owned and operated the Gwinn A & W and later renamed Jack’s Drive In Restaurant from 1976 to 1987.

He served on the Marquette County Board of Commissioners, was a member the Shriners, Lions, Masonic Lodge, life member of the National Skeet Shooting Association, Forsyth Township Snowmobile Club, HOG, North American Hunting Club and the McFarland Camp. His interests included riding Harley’s, racing snowmobiles, hunting & fishing trips around the USA and Canada and wintering in Florida and Arizona.

Jack is survived by his children, Scott (Cindy) Mitchell of Gladstone, Jacqueline (Daniel) Bolwerk of Negaunee and Bradley (Sally) Mitchell of Gwinn; grandchildren, Angela (fiance’ Kyle Johnson) Mitchell, Diana (Noah) Girard, Dan (Ashley) Wiltzius, Elizabeth (Chris) LaJoie, Ashley (Jacob) Perry, Drew Adair, Christy (Andrew) Church, Jillian (Russell) Steinbrecher, Elliott (Jodi) Burns; 12 great-grandchildren; siblings, Florence Hunt of Flint, MI, Pat Chesser of Green Briar, AR and Judy (Richard) Messler of Swartz Creek, MI; special friend, Josie Teptrow of Gold Canyon, AZ; and several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Esther in 2012, infant son, Mark, and brother, Robert.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2019 from 10 am to 12 Noon in the Canale-Gwinn Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held in the funeral home at 12 Noon with Rev. Ron Westman officiating. Interment will take place in the Gwinn Cemetery with military honors.

Jack’s obituary may also be viewed at canalefuneral.com where memories may be shared.