Robert A. (Bob) Mitchell, of Battle Creek, formerly of Quincy, passed away unexpectedly and just short of his 80th birthday on Monday, April 24, 2023. During his passing, Bob was surrounded by his loving family while at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.
The funeral service will be held Friday, April 28, 2023 at 3:00 PM at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater with Brad Parrish from Union Church of Quincy officiating. Visitation will be held, prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 PM at Dutcher Funeral Home. Cremation will follow services.
Bob was born on May 20, 1943 in Wauseon, OH to Wayne & Helen (Weller) Mitchell. He married Sonja (Herman) on January 20, 1996 in Quincy, MI.
Mr. Mitchell was raised in Fayette, OH, attending and graduating from Gorham-Fayette Schools in 1961. Receiving both his Bachelor’s and Master of Guidance and Counseling from Bowling Green State University, Bob became a lifelong educator, counselor, coach, and inspiration to students and friends alike. He worked briefly for Fayette Schools, and in 1969 moved to Branch County, MI to continue his career as a high school guidance counselor with Quincy High School, retiring in 2000. During his tenure at Quincy, Bob served as a student council advisor, a driver’s training instructor and was the announcer at many basketball and football games. He coached several high school sports, but his love for the game of golf led him to many years of coaching the Quincy High School golf team, even after his retirement from counseling. Bob was also very active with the First Tee Youth Golf program where he was an instructor and had been awarded Coach of the Year. In his retirement years, he continued to help others as a counselor for Kellogg Community College and in real estate sales.
Bob was a member of the Union Church of Quincy and the church he and Sonja attended in Florida, where they spent many winters. He had many musical abilities, including singing in a quartet, and choirs at both churches. Bob was currently attending St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Battle Creek. He loved the outdoors where he enjoyed hiking, sailing, walking his dogs and traveling. He was an avid reader and loved socializing with others. His sense of humor always made people smile. Most importantly, Bob adored his family, especially his grandchildren.
Bob is survived by his wife Sonja (Herman); his children Michael Mitchell of Mesquite, NV, Joel (Emily) Mitchell of Portage, Benjamin (Melonie) Mitchell of Hudson, Julie Wilcox (Roy) Messing of Mt. Pleasant, David Scott (Amy) Wilcox of Battle Creek, Lisa Myers (Jason) Smoker of Byron Center; his brother Jack (Chris Francis) Mitchell of Fayette, OH; his grandchildren Hayley, Kelsey, Sydney Mitchell, Pierce (Lylah) Mitchell, Rhys Mitchell, Jeffrey (Olivia) Messing, Andrew, Annmarie Messing, Lauren (Jordan) Mullins, Alex Wilcox, Caden & Cohen Smoker; great-grandchildren Theodore Mitchell, Paislee Mullins and his former wife Linda (Bob) Stewart of Coldwater.
Memorials may be directed to the Branch County Humane Society or the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. www.dutcherfh.com.
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