ROCHELLE — Larry D. Mitchell, 80, of Rochelle, passed away Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 at Northwoods Care Centre in Belvidere. Larry was born Jan. 10, 1941 in Atkins, Iowa, the eighth child of Andrew and Pearl (Abrahamson) Mitchell. He married Elizabeth Griffith on Dec. 18, 1971 at the First Presbyterian Church in Rochelle.
Larry grew up on the family farm near Atkins, Iowa. He was drafted into the Army in 1963 and served in Vietnam. In the late 1960s, he moved to Rochelle and met his future wife, Elizabeth, at the First Presbyterian Church. They married in 1971 and raised their two daughters in Rochelle. He started work with the Rochelle schools in 1974 as a custodian and retired in 1996. He helped many local farmers throughout the years in any capacity needed. In what little free time he had, he enjoyed visiting family back in Iowa and building model cars.
Larry had a love for animals that started in his childhood, raising barn cats on the farm. He loved spending time with people, enjoying good conversation and holding court at McDonald’s, which was just around the corner from his house. He was always in good humor and had a laugh you couldn’t help but love.
Larry is survived by two daughters, Angie Mitchell of Rochelle and Carrie Mitchell of Belvidere; grandson, Zach Middaugh of Rochelle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Larry is preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth; seven siblings, Irene Boxwell, Alice Duffy, Dale (Angie) Mitchell, Alvin (Rose) Mitchell, John (Jean) Mitchell, Paul Mitchell, and a sibling who died in infancy; and three nieces, Pam Wachal, Sharon Chihak, and Deb Mitchell.
A celebration of life will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 4 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home in Rochelle. Masks are required and social distancing guidelines should be followed.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 5 at First Presbyterian Church of Rochelle with Pastor Doug Forsberg officiating. The funeral service will be streamed live on the Unger-Horner Funeral Home Facebook page. Interment will follow in Trinity Memory Gardens.
Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1111 S. Alpine Rd., Rockford, IL 61108.
Please visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.