Willard Duane Mitchell, D.D.S.

Dr. Willard Mitchell, DDS, age 99, of Hilliard, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 7, 2023. Better known as “Uncle Preach” or “Mitch” he was born April 29, 1924 to Charles and Ida Mae Mitchell on their farm near Arden, WV.

Mitch attended a one room schoolhouse, along with his five siblings, his first eight years of education. His 9th-12th grade years he attended Philippi High School, graduating in 1941. Mitch then attended WV Business College, eighteen months until he needed to return home to help on the family farm. This was during WWll and his 3 brothers were already in the Army and off fighting the war in different parts of the world.

Mitch also wanted to fight for his country that he loved. As time went on, he won over his parents and enlisted in the US Navy. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign, The European African Middle Eastern Campaign and the American Campaign on the USS Wasp, a naval aircraft carrier. He served in action against the enemy in the final phases of the war against Japan. Mitch received numerous awards and accolades for his service. He was always proud that he and all three of his brothers served active duty in different venues of the war at the same time, all survived and returned home from WWll. They visited the WWll Memorial in Washington DC together, a highlight of his life.

Mitch returned to West Virginia University at the end of the war and earned a BS degree in agriculture. He then worked for Pure Oil for six years to save money to eventually enter Dental School at The Ohio State University at the age of 32. Upon graduation in1960 he was awarded an internship at The Zoller Memorial Dental Clinic in Chicago. He credited the internship with helping him everyday of his 40 year private practice at 1334 W. 5th Ave, Grandview, Ohio. He dearly loved caring for his patients and felt blessed to have such a rewarding career.

His dental practice also brought him the “love of his life” when a woman appeared for a scheduled job interview at the wrong Dr. Mitchell’s office. He didn’t realize he needed an office manager, but decided to do the interview anyway and hired her on the spot. She apparently did a good job because they later married. He and his loving wife, Elaine, enjoyed over 49 years of marriage. He often said marrying Elaine was his most beautiful and greatest accomplishment of all.

Mitch was a man of abounding faith. They joined and became involved in the Upper Arlington Lutheran Church. He said he had many memories and blessings from the church. The one activity that stood out to him was the small group of members they met with weekly for Bible study, fellowship and support of one another and prayer. He read the Bible daily for many many years.

Mitch was a family man. He loved his West Virginia family and Ohio family. He dearly loved his “adopted” children from Elaine: Jeff, Jill & Beth. He loved his six grandchildren, Travis, Tyler, Chloe, Letty, Rachel & Caitlin and 3 great grandchildren, Devyn, Grayson & Navy, even more. He was looking forward to welcoming another great grandchild in the fall of 2023.

Mitch was a man of high integrity, an optimist, a patriot and a friend to all. Everyday was a “beautiful day” and when asked how he was, his response was always, “Well and Improving.” He regularly whispered into his grandchildren’s ear, “You’re special.” He always had kind and cheerful words for all.

Mitch was an avid WVU and OSU fan. He was in numerous organizations and loved to serve in them. He loved to follow sports, garden, build things, read and help people. Everyone enjoyed and endured his WV quips and jokes.

Mitch wanted his parting quote to be:

“In the evening time of life

If my Father only will

I shall still behold the visions of

Those West Virginia Hills” (author unknown)

Mitch was preceded in death by: his parents, Ida Mae & Charles Mitchell, 2 Sisters & 1 brother in Law: Gay Mitchell, Waunda (Forrest) McGee, 3 Brothers & 3 Sister in Laws: Wilford (Mary), Wilburt (Betty) and Robert (Ruth) Mitchell, His nephew Robert Mitchell ll, his wife Marsha, and daughter Bethany and her Husband Tom Hudgens.

He is survived by his wife Elaine, children; Jeffrey (Connie Rohrer) Walters and Jill Cooper, grandchildren; Travis (Sara) Hudgens, Tyler (Fiance’ Celina) Hudgens, Chloe Cooper, Letty (Stephen) DeLallo, Rachel (Travis) Schlabach, Caitlin (Wayne) Harlow, great grandchildren; Devyn, Grayson, Navy, and 1 on the way. Mitch is also survived by 5 nieces: Cynthia (Vern) Schingleton, Juanita (John) Comparato, Kim (Paul) Willson, Kathy Mitchell, Kay (Tom) Emigh, 1 nephew: Randy Mitchell, several great nephews and nieces and their families.

The family of Mitch would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the many caregivers that cared for Mitch over the last several months. We are eternally grateful for the loving care, respect and kindness from Hospice, The Kobacker House, Home Instead, and the Veterans Administration. You made his and our journey peaceful and a blessing. Thank you.

Services will be provided by: The Schoedinger Northwest Funeral home, 1740 Zollinger Rd., Columbus, OH 43221 Visitation: May 19th, 2023 from 10:00-11:00 am, with a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 am Graveside military service immediately following at The Mifflin Cemetery, Gahanna, Ohio.

In Lieu of flowers, grateful donations can be made to: Kobacker House, c/o OhioHealth Foundation, 3430 OhioHealth Parkway, Fl. 3, Columbus, OH 43202 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.