Darrell Mitchell

Darrell J. Mitchell, 77, of Union, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo. A memorial service will be held on Friday December 1st at 10:30 AM at the Gifford United Methodist Church, preceded by one hour of visitation. Inurnment will follow services at the Sheppard Cemetery in Union. Memorials may be directed to the family. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com

Darrell was born on January 26, 1940 in Eldora, Iowa, to his parents Frank & Alice (Brown) Mitchell. Darrell was raised in Eldora, where he attended school, graduating from the Eldora High School in 1958. After high school, Darrell enlisted in the United States Air Force. He honorably served his country for 4 years and returned home to Iowa. He then began working alongside his father, working for the family business, Mitchell, Brown & Hodge Plumbing & Heating.

On November 26, 1966, Darrell was united in marriage to Peggy Estes at the Gifford Methodist Church.

Darrell was a volunteer fire fighter for the Eldora Fire Department for many years and helped his brothers-in-law with their farming. For many years, Darrell helped at his wife’s restaurant, The Gifford Café and with that came the big task of preparing meals for the annual 4th of July parade in Gifford, along with organizing the parade. Darrell was a hard worker and will be missed by his loving family and the many people who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Peggy of Union; daughter Angie of North Carolina and sons John Bittner of Gifford and Dewey (Debbie) Bittner of Spokane, WA; 16 grandchildren and many great and great-great-grandchildren; brothers Orlin (Verlene) Mitchell of Grinnell, IA, Gary (Joan) Mitchell of San Antonio, TX, David Mitchell of Iowa Falls and sister Marilyn (Maurice) Cakerice of Eldora. Darrell is preceded in death by his parents; 2 sons Randy Mitchell & Phillip Bittner.