Mitchell, Leon David 1935-2021

Leon D. Mitchell, 84, of Niles, passed away peacefully at his residence, surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, March 7, 2021, following an illness. He was born on July 27, 1936 in Niles to the late Guy L. and Lillie C. (Westerfield) Mitchell. Leon was a 1955 graduate of Niles High School. He enlisted in The U.S. Army being honorably discharged in June of 1959. On September 10, 1960 he married Judith M. Sands at a ceremony in Niles; the couple recently celebrating sixty years of marriage. Leon was retired after working at several local factories including Georgie-Boy, ACO, At&T and Kawneer. He enjoyed playing and watching baseball; as a child he played on the Babe Ruth League and as an adult on the Kawneer team. Leon was an outdoorsman that would look forward to having time away to fish and hunt. Leon always enjoyed his children and grandchildren, cherishing all moments and their special functions. Leon always managed to stay busy and in his later years enjoyed traveling and frequent trips to the casino. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Jennifer Smith; two brothers, Robert and Marvin Mitchell and a sister, Norma Krueger. Leon leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Judith Mitchell of Niles; daughters, Julie Wall (Steve Havener) and June Mitchell of Niles; six grandchildren, Sarah Hayslip, Stephen (Christina) Hayslip, Serena Hayslip, Elizabeth Metzger, Mitchell and Colin Hayden as well as a host of great-grandchildren and a son-in-law, Reid Smith. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at Noon at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with a time of visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. Military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Army at Silverbrook Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Leon’s memory to Lions Clubs International 300 West 22nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-8842.