Michael Lewis Mitchell

Michael Lewis “Mike” Mitchell, 73, of Fort Wayne passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2017. He was born in Auburn, Indiana on February 22, 1944, a son of the late Kenneth and Lillian (Lewis) Mitchell.

Mike was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early 2017 but was strong and stable throughout his last months, living the days to their fullest.

As a child he attended Riley Elementary School, Harrison Middle School graduating from Auburn High School in 1962. Mike was a scout, played basketball, and was a member of the Noon Football Team. He spent his free time with friends, playing cards, down at the Auburn Y, Friday night football games, sock-hops, and summer Saturday nights at the dance hall at Cold Springs. Mike had a passion for Christmas and cars and anything with an engine. He enjoyed spending time at Beaver Dam Lake in the summers and driving the family speedboat. He helped his dad through his school years by "testing" cars and it was known that if a new part made it through the hard test of this teenager, it was probably a solid fix! Mike's first car was a red pinstriped ‘48 Dodge convertible which later he traded for a black lowered '50 Chevy sedan. He nicknamed it "The Pooch" which could be seen "cruising" in the streets of Auburn (and sometimes Garrett) through the remainder of his school days. In the years after graduation, Mike bought a new Hemi which he raced at the Avilla drag strip. Mike and many of his classmates remained together through the years; Mike is fondly remembered as being "a dare devil", fun, adventurous, and also "one of the good guys" who was always willing to be a help.

He became an electrician as a young man and went on to make his career at Magnavox / Raytheon as Head Electrician where he retired from, in 2011. He was known by his co-workers for one who took pride in doing his job with excellence and also being able to light up a room and keep people laughing. He had a nickname for everyone and was given his own nickname, "Mookie".

Mike was also known as "The Comeback Kid" and rightly so, he overcame many things over the years, starting as a little boy in an iron lung, he beat the odds and didn't complain- just rehabilitated. Polio, Diabetes, many, many broken bones, stroke and even death in an ambulance but made it back again with resuscitation. At one time with a severe leg break it was said he would probably never walk again... and then he did. He loved all things new and electronic.

Mike always wanted to "do the work himself" including wiring his house and running speakers in all rooms for his music, to cables and lights anywhere he felt important. He loved working in his garage and outside to make his yard look good in the summer and plowing snow in the winter. Mike could be seen in the neighborhood as the guy who rode his lawn mower or red scooter around to get the mail or over to his friend, Ron's house. Mike had almost any electronic item you could imagine. He loved to tinker with 3D movie players, 3D glasses and DVD writers for copying movies for family members and friends. Mike was known for the guy who always wanted to help and he was seen many days at Ashton Creek on his red scooter going to a room with his tools to help a patient or staff to fix something. He loved being on his computer and researching items he might want to purchase for home or for Donna.

In his later days, Mike could be seen on a red scooter with rear view mirrors, glasses and phone in pocket and ALWAYS his watch on plus the "essentials" in the front basket. Even through great adversity the last months of his life Mike seemed to bring inspiration and smiles to friends, patients, staff and family who knew and loved him with his determination and strength.

The family is thankful for his "brothers" Lance and Nick and his friends including the "Angels" who stood by him; all who were in his life from young to the sunset of his life who made him smile. The family would also like to thank the staff at Ashton Creek Health and Rehabilitation for making him feel "at home" and for caring for him as well as Heart To Heart Hospice of Fort Wayne.

He is survived by Donna, his wife and friend of 18 years; daughter, Kim (Micheal) Grieme of Erlanger, Kentucky; stepson, Christopher (Hanna) Lude of Denver, Colorado; step daughter, Diana (Mike) Lude of Ossian, Indiana, Jennifer (Daniel) Hartzler of Fort Wayne and Grand Rapids, Michigan; grandchildren, Alex, Brayden and Dylan Grieme, Klara, Nicholas, and Mary Lude, Andrew (Jessica) Wisel, Aaron (Melanie) Lude, Kristina (Billy) Stuller, Brandon (Sadie) Hartzler, Brittany (Josh) Schnare, Bradley Hartzler; eight great grandchildren he was very proud of, Gemma, Aaden, Isabella, Addison, Zoey, Brylan, Kayla and Aurora; sister, Julie (Tom) Reuter; nieces and nephews, Cheri (John) Wiegman, Lisa (TJ) Murfitt, Nickolas (Alyson) Reuter, Derek Reuter; and six great nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in passing by a stepson, Kevin Lude.

Family and friends are invited to an informal graveside service at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at Highland Park Cemetery, 2403 East Wallen Rd., Fort Wayne, Indiana followed by a more official gathering at Ashton Creek Health and Rehabilitation, 4111 Park Place Drive, Fort Wayne. A formal inurnment will take place at a later date.

Mike, Husband, Father, Brother, Grandpa, Schoolmate, Friend, you will be greatly missed, always loved and always remembered.