Don grew up in the La Salle area, attending Auburn school. After his education, he helped on the family farm in the Evans and La Salle areas. Don entered the US Navy on August 22, 1945 and served in the South Pacific. He received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the American Area Ribbon and the WWII Victory Ribbon. He was honorably discharged on June 27, 1946 as a Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class. He was a life member of Adamson-Warmuth Post No 6624, V.F.W, Evans.
After his discharge, Don returned to La Salle, where he returned to farming. He later worked at Clough’s Furniture, Greeley where he started his career in floor covering. He started Mitchell and Sons Floor Covering in the mid-1960s. He retired after 30 years.
During retirement, Don loved to play golf and was a member of the Greeley Country Club. He also was an avid sports fan, especially of the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies. He enjoyed traveling in his motorhome and had visited all 50 states.
Don is survived by his daughter-in-law, Angie M. Mitchell of Greeley granddaughters, Kelley Lucero of Greeley and Angie C. Mitchell (Dave Walters) of Thornton; grandson, Danny Mitchell of Illinois; sister, Margie Rohn (Rheiny) of Greeley; ten great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Vera who died May 28, 1981, sons, Lonnie who died July 1, 1975 and Larry who died February 22, 2018, second wife Margaret “Margie” who died October 23, 2000 and third wife, Bonnie, who died February 22,2018, sisters, Frances Kerns and Dorothy Eckhardt and a brother, Bill Mitchell.
Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 6, 2018 followed by funeral service at 2:00 p.m. both at Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 West 28th Street, Greeley. Interment Sunset Memorial Gardens.
