Paul L. Mitchell

Paul LaVern Mitchell, son of Lee and Ruth (Lawrence) Mitchell, was born on March 22, 1920 in Adams County near Brooks, Iowa. Paul entered eternal rest on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at Alegent Creighton Health Mercy Hospital in Corning, Iowa at the age of ninety three years, three months and eighteen days.
Paul graduated from Corning High School with the Class of 1938 and moved west to find work during the great depression. Upon his return to Adams County, Paul was reunited with the love of his life, Osil Bernadine Steadman, daughter of Orville Bernard and Kitty Mae (Marsh) Steadman at the Nodaway Corn Festival. It was at that time that Paul asked Osil out on a much anticipated date. Paul and Osil were married May 28, 1942 in Reno, Nevada and remained inseparable for more than sixty-seven years until her death on December 11, 2009.
Paul worked for the Boeing Corporation in Seattle, Washington and then at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California. Osil joined Paul in Alameda during the summer of 1942. Due to the uncertainty of WWII, Osil returned to Iowa in August, 1942 and resumed teaching. Paul returned to Iowa in January 1943 and was drafted into the Army Air Force a short time later. Paul was stationed in numerous locations throughout the United States and overseas in Cairo, Egypt. During this period Osil lived with her parents and continued to teach until son Paul Douglas was born November 25, 1944. Paul was Honorably Discharged from Fort Sheridan, Chicago in April, 1946.
Paul and Osil farmed upon Paul’s military discharge. The couple began attending the Maple Grove United Methodist Church at Guss, Iowa, in 1949 and joined in 1951. Paul and Osil spent many years as Methodist Youth Fellowship Leaders and they served the church in a variety of capacities over the years. Paul and Osil were life-long members in the church.
Their first farm was the George Bycroft place where Paul’s parents and his brother had lived for the previous 16 years. Stephen Dale was born September 14, 1955. In 1959, Paul and Osil bought and moved to their farm located near Iveyville, Iowa. In 2008, Paul and Osil moved to a home in Corning, Iowa.
Paul was a long-time 4-H Leader in Taylor County and a model steward of the land. Paul continually strived to conserve the soil and educate himself in agricultural changes.
Left to mourn and cherish Paul’s memory is his son, Stephen Mitchell and wife Jennifer of Arvada, Colorado; daughter-in-law, Norma Mitchell of Omaha, Nebraska; two grandchildren: Michele Grabowsky of Omaha, Nebraska and Dr. Cassidy Mitchell and wife Melanie of Lincoln, Nebraska; five great grandchildren: Jamie Gruhn, Ashley Scariano, Rowen, Chase and Logan Mitchell; three great-great-grandchildren: Lexie and Lyric Gruhn and Joey Scariano as well as numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Osil Mitchell in 2009; son, Douglas Mitchell, D.V.M. in 2010 and brother, Alvin Mitchell.