Born: Dec. 6, 1928

Died: April 4, 2013

Richard Fletcher Mitchell, 84, of Niles, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, April 4, 2013.

Richard was born on Dec.6, 1928, to the late Roy and Ida (Fletcher) Mitchell in Manchester, Tenn. He was the youngest of two boys growing up in the Mitchell household.

Richard graduated from Niles High School, where he was very active in sports and, on Oct. 14, 1950, Richard wed the love of his life, Agnes Dsida, at a ceremony in Niles.  Together, they had two sons. Richard went on to work at the French Paper Mill while operating a farm just outside of Niles. He retired from French Paper after 28 years of service. After he retired, Richard couldn’t just sit idle, he put his whole heart in to operating and running their family farm and the Busy Chick Egg Farm with his wife.

Richard was always active, he loved fishing, watching the Cubs and spending time at the casino playing slots. After Richard retired from farming, he and Agnes enjoyed spending their winters in Lake Okeechobee, Fla., and their summers at Kelsey Lake in Dowagiac.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents and survived by his wife, Agnes; sons Bruce (Melba) Mitchell, of Niles, and David (Dawn) Mitchell, of Cassopolis; grandchildren, Chad (Tammy) Mitchell, of Niles, Amy (Doug) Luczkowski, of Niles, Mindy Prince of Niles, Matt (Amy) McGlophlen, of South Bend, Ind., Christopher (Oday) Mitchell, of Cassopolis, and Amanda Mitchell, of Edwardsburg; several great- grandchildren; and a brother, Stanley Mitchell, of Niles.

Memorial donations may be made in Richard’s name to Hospice at Home Inc., 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

A memorial service to honor Richard’s life will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles at 11 a.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior.

Those wishing to leave a message, upload a photo of Richard or send their condolences may do so on our website at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles.