Lt. Colonel Paul F. Mitchell

Lt. Colonel Paul F. Mitchell, Retired USAF, of  Felton, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2015, from the Delaware Hospice Center, Milford, he was 86.  He was born in Greenville, PA to the late, Paul C. and Marion (Brown) Mitchell.

Lt. Colonel  Mitchell attended the University of Cincinnati where he received two Masters Degrees in Economics and Counseling.  He loved to fly planes, and had his pilots license before the age of 16 before he even had a drivers license.  He joined the Air Force as an enlisted airman where he began his career as a C124 Pilot, flying missions all over the globe for 24 years, and rose in ranks to a Lt. Colonel .  He taught ROTC and flight instruction at Notre Dame.  He was a diehard fighting Irish Notre Dame football fan.

Not only did Lt. Colonel Mitchell enjoy aviation and aircraft, but he also enjoyed vintage cars, especially those of the 1940's.  He had a love of racing, and had perfect attendance for the past 58 years to the Indianapolis 500.  His nephew, David Cook, was especially dear to him as he went to all the races with him, and called him every Sunday to chat.  He was quite a jokester, and could always tell a good joke.  He and his wife Lola, belonged to the Dover Dance Club, where they enjoyed and instructed Ballroom Dancing.  He also loved big band music and loved to listen to Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, and Count Basie among others.  His love of family was evident to everyone that knew him, and he was quite proud of his children and the fact that he and his wife Lola had two sets of twins, each set a boy and a girl.  His quick wit, charm, and "old school" ways will forever be remembered and missed.

Lt. Colonel Mitchell was a member of the Commerative Air Force whose mission was to restore WWII aircraft.  In his spare time, he would also volunteer at the Dover Air Base aircraft museum, something he thoroughly enjoyed.  He was also a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church and belonged to the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Margie Brewer.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Lola Mitchell of Felton; sons, Richard P. Mitchell of Lincoln, DE, William E. (Cheryl) Mitchell of Hephzibah, GA; daughters, Julia A. (Ed) Noland of Groveland, FL, Fae L. (Frank) Baudour of Harrington; brother, Jim (Nancy) Mitchell of Albion, PA; sisters, Martha (Joe) Cook of Hubbard, Ohio, Ann (Myron) Blasko of Hubbard, Ohio; and 5 grandchildren.

Funeral Services in Delaware will be Thursday, April 9, 2015, at the Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 S. DuPont Hwy., Harrington, DE, at 11 am, with a visitation, Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 pm at the funeral home.

A separate visitation will take place Sunday,  April 12 from 6 to 8 pm at the Jean Evans Thompson Funeral Home, 11883 Main St., East Springfield, PA 16411.  Funeral Mass will be held at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Mon. April 13, at 10 AM.  Interment will be at the East Springfield Cemetery, Erie, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Dover Air Mobility Command Museum, attn: Eric Getz, 1301 Heritage Road, Dover, DE 19902.

Arrangements are by the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home Inc, Harrington, DE.  Visit us at www.melvinfuneralhome.com to send flowers or sign condolence book.

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