Obituary of Esther Ruth Mitchell

Ruth W. Mitchell Ruth went home to be with her Savior on Thursday morning, September 6, 2018, at the Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 13, 2018, at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Visitation will be an hour prior to the services, starting at 10:00 a.m., at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, rural Newton. In lieu of flowers memorials may be designated to The Christian and Missionary Alliance Great Commission Fund or to Ruth's family, in Ruth's name. Esther Ruth (Welle) Mitchell, 100, was born November 14, 1917, on the family farm, Southeast of Newton. Ruth was the second daughter of David and Mabel Maurine (Bishop) Welle. Her formal education began in a country school in rural Newton. She graduated from the Newton Senior High, Class of 1934. Ruth attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, graduating with a degree to teach mathematics. During her time at Cornell she played flute in the symphony orchestra. She began her teaching career in Clinton and continued to teach in several states. On December 19, 1964, Ruth and Bernard A, "Bernie" Mitchell were united in marriage. They taught school in various locations until retirement. They enjoyed traveling in their mobile home and playing golf, and she enjoyed attending Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton. After her husband's death on March 1, 1999, she returned to Newton and treasured time spent with her sister and family as well as relatives and friends. Ruth is survived by her nieces and nephews: Marilyn and Ralph Helm, Sharon Damkot, Nancy and Charles Faber, Norma Van Dalen, David and Sharon Van Dalen and Gary and Lori Van Dalen; her stepson John Mitchell; step grandson Walter Mitchell; twelve great nieces and nephews; eight great-great nieces and nephews; and many good old neighbors and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; her husband Bernie and her sister Margaret M. Van Dalen on August 26, 2010.