1938
Clifford
2015
Clifford "Cliff" Jay Mitchell
September 21, 1938 — January 12, 2015
Munising
Clifford "Cliff" Jay Mitchell, age 76, of Munising, passed into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, Monday morning, January 12, 2015, at his home in the presence of his family. Cliff endured a six-year journey with ALS. He was born on September 21, 1938 in Grand Marais to the late Emmanuel and Gertrude (Kettering) Mitchell. Cliff's hard work ethic started early when he began working for Ty Taylor at Taylor's Cleaners in the dry-cleaning services at the age of eleven. Mr. Taylor took Cliff under his wing, mentoring him about the woods and fishing which included many hikes over the hill to Perch Lake. Cliff graduated from William G. Mather High School in 1957, and a few months later began working for Kimberly-Clark as a utility helper in the labor pool. On December 22, 1958, he posted into the Specialties Department as a trucker, then Rewinder Helper and then progressed to Assistant Operator. As of January 3, 1977, his occupation was Compounder, then Sizemaker. His job title was Operator #18 at the time of his retirement on January 1, 1998, after 41 years of continuous service. Cliff was proud of his years of service, and took great pride in the Kimberly-Clark name and products they produced. On October 24, 1959, he married Dorothy Ann Thorley and together they raised their four children. Prior to his journey with ALS, Cliff's hands were never idle. This trait earned him the nickname of the "Tinker," fixing, building, improving, and inventing things that would help his family, church, neighbors, or mission group. Cliff was a faithful member of the Munising Baptist Church, and was the last living charter member of the congregation. He made it his ministry to help and support missionaries, whether it was giving a warm meal and a bed to the missionaries while passing through town, or making the device that would roll thousands of bandages that were sent to the medical missions overseas. The Mitchell's hospitality didn't stop there; their door was always open to friends, family, and even strangers creating lifelong bonds and friendships from all over the world. In retirement, Cliff and Dot would spend summers at the Gitche Gumee Bible Camp in Eagle River, Michigan, where he served as a camp maintenance man while Dot worked with children's ministries. Cliff had a love for Lake Superior that would not let him leave the UP. He could not imagine being anywhere else and not be able to watch the bay freeze and thaw. He enjoyed hikes in the woods, cutting wood, shoveling, and any summer day could be made better with a picnic. Cliff also had a special talent for making peanut brittle and fudge, and made sure that all of his grandkids knew his recipe, earning himself the name as "Fudge Papa."
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy "Dot" Mitchell, who lovingly cared for him in sickness and in health; children - Scott (Theresa) Mitchell of Munising, Carol (Keith) Davenport of Williamston, MI, Beth (Michael Yates) Mitchell of Carol Stream, IL, and Amy (Chris) Kjaer of Milwaukee, WI; grandchildren - Heidi (Benjamin) Frederick, Brandon Mitchell, Laris and Landon Davenport, Kiefer, Keegan, Coble Yates, and Petra Kjaer; great-grandsons - Alexander and Carson Frederick; siblings - Robert (Sandy) Mitchell and Frances Harvey. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents - Emmanuel and Gertrude; siblings and their spouses Dorlene (Ray) Ranta and Eileen (Ken) King; brother-in-law Jim Harvey, and sister-in-law Linda Mitchell.
Cliff's family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and thanks to our church family and the local community for their help in caregiving and support over the past several years.
Visitation will be on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at the Munising Baptist Church in Wetmore from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. Pastor Jason LaFlamme will conduct Cliff's Funeral Service beginning at 4:00 p.m. For those who are unable to attend the service, Cliff's funeral will be livestreamed at www.sundaystreams.com/go/mbc . Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery on ****Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. *****
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Cliff's name may be made to the Munising Baptist Church, P.O. Box 339, Wetmore, MI 49895 or Gitche Gumee Bible Camp, 5189 Garden City Rd., Eagle River, MI 49950.
Clifford "Cliff" Jay Mitchell, age 76, of Munising, passed into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, Monday morning, January 12, 2015, at his home in the presence of his family. Cliff endured a six-year journey with ALS. He was born on September 21, 1938 in Grand Marais to the late Emmanuel and Gertrude (Kettering) Mitchell. Cliff's hard work ethic started early when he began working for Ty Taylor at Taylor's Cleaners in the dry-cleaning services at the age of eleven. Mr. Taylor took Cliff under his wing, mentoring him about the woods and fishing which included many hikes over the hill to Perch Lake. Cliff graduated from William G. Mather High School in 1957, and a few months later began working for Kimberly-Clark as a utility helper in the labor pool. On December 22, 1958, he posted into the Specialties Department as a trucker, then Rewinder Helper and then progressed to Assistant Operator. As of January 3, 1977, his occupation was Compounder, then Sizemaker. His job title was Operator #18 at the time of his retirement on January 1, 1998, after 41 years of continuous service. Cliff was proud of his years of service, and took great pride in the Kimberly-Clark name and products they produced. On October 24, 1959, he married Dorothy Ann Thorley and together they raised their four children. Prior to his journey with ALS, Cliff's hands were never idle. This trait earned him the nickname of the "Tinker," fixing, building, improving, and inventing things that would help his family, church, neighbors, or mission group. Cliff was a faithful member of the Munising Baptist Church, and was the last living charter member of the congregation. He made it his ministry to help and support missionaries, whether it was giving a warm meal and a bed to the missionaries while passing through town, or making the device that would roll thousands of bandages that were sent to the medical missions overseas. The Mitchell's hospitality didn't stop there; their door was always open to friends, family, and even strangers creating lifelong bonds and friendships from all over the world. In retirement, Cliff and Dot would spend summers at the Gitche Gumee Bible Camp in Eagle River, Michigan, where he served as a camp maintenance man while Dot worked with children's ministries. Cliff had a love for Lake Superior that would not let him leave the UP. He could not imagine being anywhere else and not be able to watch the bay freeze and thaw. He enjoyed hikes in the woods, cutting wood, shoveling, and any summer day could be made better with a picnic. Cliff also had a special talent for making peanut brittle and fudge, and made sure that all of his grandkids knew his recipe, earning himself the name as "Fudge Papa."
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy "Dot" Mitchell, who lovingly cared for him in sickness and in health; children - Scott (Theresa) Mitchell of Munising, Carol (Keith) Davenport of Williamston, MI, Beth (Michael Yates) Mitchell of Carol Stream, IL, and Amy (Chris) Kjaer of Milwaukee, WI; grandchildren - Heidi (Benjamin) Frederick, Brandon Mitchell, Laris and Landon Davenport, Kiefer, Keegan, Coble Yates, and Petra Kjaer; great-grandsons - Alexander and Carson Frederick; siblings - Robert (Sandy) Mitchell and Frances Harvey. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents - Emmanuel and Gertrude; siblings and their spouses Dorlene (Ray) Ranta and Eileen (Ken) King; brother-in-law Jim Harvey, and sister-in-law Linda Mitchell.
Cliff's family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and thanks to our church family and the local community for their help in caregiving and support over the past several years.
Visitation will be on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at the Munising Baptist Church in Wetmore from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. Pastor Jason LaFlamme will conduct Cliff's Funeral Service beginning at 4:00 p.m. For those who are unable to attend the service, Cliff's funeral will be livestreamed at www.sundaystreams.com/go/mbc . Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery on ****Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. *****
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Cliff's name may be made to the Munising Baptist Church, P.O. Box 339, Wetmore, MI 49895 or Gitche Gumee Bible Camp, 5189 Garden City Rd., Eagle River, MI 49950.
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