John Sidney Mitchell

Services for John Sidney Mitchell, 81, Leavenworth, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at First Christian Church in Leavenworth.Mr. Mitchell died Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005, at his home after a long illness. He was born Sept. 18, 1923, in Grandfield, Okla., the son of Sidney and Pearl Christy Mitchell. He graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1942.Mr. Mitchell served in the U.S. Coast Guard in the South Pacific during World War II. He worked for the Federal Prison System in Leavenworth for 27 years. He later worked as a custodian for First Christian Church, where he was a member and served as a deacon. He also worked at Dykes Liquor Store and Gronis Hardware. He was a longtime member of Eagles, the local NARFE chapter and Veterans of Foreign Wars.He married Shirley Ann Payne on Oct. 25, 1947. She survives, of the home. Other survivors include six daughters, Myrna Filley, Melinda “Mindy” Mitchell and Sue Bower, both of Lawrence, Melissa Wilson, Sally Nowlan, McLouth, and Sydney Hobbs; a sister, Joan Mitchell Atwell; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at Davis Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth. The family suggests memorials to the University of Saint Mary, the American Cancer Society or the church, sent in care of the chapel, P.O. Box 136, Leavenworth 66048.