Phyllis Eileen (Russell) Mitchell

Phyllis Eileen Mitchell, age 91, of Ashley, Illinois, formerly of Richview, Illinois, passed away at 8:38 A.M. on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at GreenTree Memory Care in Mount Vernon, Illinois.  She was born on September 16, 1930, at her home in Richview, Illinois, the daughter of Thomas and Carrie (Randell) Russell.  She married Donald E. Mitchell on June 21, 1953, at Richview United Methodist Church in Richview, Illinois, and he preceded her in death on March 7, 1997.

Mrs. Mitchell is survived by her loving family, sons, Mark Mitchell and wife Peggy of Ashley, Illinois, Michael Mitchell of Chatham, Illinois, and Matthew Mitchell of Gaithersburg, Maryland; grandchildren, Travis Mitchell and wife Heather, Haley Reitzen and husband Doug, Gavin Mitchell and wife Alicia, Aubree Mitchell, and Kalli Miles and husband Justin; great-grandchildren, Loralei Reitzen, Cecilia Reitzen, Malachi Mitchell, Emersyn Mitchell, and Olivia Miles; brother, Don Russell and wife Nancy of Richview, Illinois; sister, Marilyn Besancenez and husband Robert of Largo, Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband of 43 years, Mrs. Mitchell was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Russell and Carrie Russell; brothers, Stanley “Spud” Russell, Thomas Russell, Jr., Gene Russell, and Gerald Russell; and sisters, Lorraine Pitchford and Betty Russell.

Mrs. Mitchell was a member of Irvington United Methodist Church in Irvington, Illinois, for many years.  She volunteered at the church with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.  She was a member of the Irvington Woman’s Club in Irvington, Illinois.  She was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, Dallas Cowboys, and Fighting Illini.  Later in life, it was so important for her to follow her sports teams, she would watch tv with the sound off and closed caption on due to her limited hearing.  Phyllis loved playing cards and always a game of Gin Rummy with her grandkids.  She enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles and over the years collected a large number of puzzles.  She faithfully read three library books a week.  Phyllis loved tending to her garden, changing it from a vegetable garden to a flower garden thus raising many rose bushes.  She religiously mowed her grass three times a week, whether if it was needed or not.  Phyllis cherished the time she spent with her family, especially babysitting her grandchildren.

Mrs. Mitchell was a housewife, homemaker, and worked with her husband on the family farm.  Earlier in life, she was a bookkeeper at Dr. Jack Frost’s office in Centralia, Illinois, for a number of years. She graduated with Ashley High School’s “Class of 1948” in Ashley, Illinois.  She lived most of her life in Richview, Illinois.

Graveside Services for Mrs. Phyllis E. Mitchell will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, August 30. 2022, at Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois, with Pastor Mark Myers officiating.  Friends of Mrs. Mitchell are asked to go directly to the cemetery on Tuesday.  Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park.  There will be a private family viewing at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Phyllis’ honor to Centralia Humane Society in Centralia, Illinois, or Charity of Donor’s Choice and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences, or share memories with Mrs. Mitchell’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net.

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