Joel Carlton Mitchell

Joel Carlton Mitchell, 49, of Bridgman passed away suddenly at his home on January 15, 2008. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 3:30 PM on January 19 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph. Friends may call from 2:30 to 3:30 PM. at the funeral home. Larry O’Brien and Kevin Brushwyler will officiate the service. Memorials may be directed to the family for his children’s educational fund. Friends wishing to leave a message of condolence, or sign the family guest book, may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Joel was born on October 5, 1958 in Elkhorn, WI to Duane and Patricia (Ells) Mitchell. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Chemistry from Florida State University and he attended Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. Joel was Technical Director of LECO Corp. in St. Joseph where he has worked since 1986. He enjoyed working with people to develop state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. Joel loved spending time with his family especially his children. He loved to travel, for work as well as with his family. He was very passionate about politics and his career. He is survived by his loving wife, Julie Billingsley; daughter, Jennifer Mitchell, twin sons Leif and Trace Mitchell, all of Bridgman; his father Duane (Sandy) Mitchell; and his mother Patricia Mitchell; his brothers Michael (Jody) Mitchell of Waukesha, WI, Laurie (Ismail) Atis of Germany, Bradley and Patrick Mitchell both of Tallahassee, FL; step sisters, Dawn (David) Oyler and Heather (Tony) Radtke of Hartland, WI.