Robert John Mitch
Robert John Mitch, 69, of Connoquenessing Township passed away unexpectedly Monday.
Born Oct. 24, 1947, in Butler, he was the son of the late Frederic Elmer Mitch and is survived by his mother, Hazel Marie Stokes Mitch of Butler.
Bob proudly served our country in the U.S. Air Force. He worked as a welder for 37 years at Armco. He was a faithful member of St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Parish, where he was an avid volunteer in church activities, such as being a member of the Knights of Columbus and serving as a Eucharistic minister for patients at Butler Hospital. He was also the former chairman of both St. Mary's and St. Wendelin's church picnics, turkey dinners and fish fries. He also drove the truck and collected food for St. Vincent de Paul in Butler. Bob was the former coach for the East Butler Baseball Team and the Butler Softball Association and also sponsored the Save-A-Car Rust Proofing Softball Team.
Bob was a team member of the Highlands Golf League and the Bowling League at Sherwood Lanes. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. He especially loved to visit his best friend, Fran Callihan, at his camp. Bob also enjoyed traveling on family vacations in the camper and especially loved going to the beach.
Bob was loved and respected by all who knew him. He will be remembered as a true gentleman who was selfless, caring and always willing to help others in need. Above all, he was a devoted husband and a proud father and grandfather who will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.
In addition to his mother, Bob leaves behind to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 47 years, Karen Lee (Green) Mitch, who he married Nov. 8, 1969; his eight children, Curtis (Stacy) Mitch of Toronto, Ohio, Tawnya (Cory) Krebs of Cranberry Township, Vikki (John) Safran of Butler, Monica (Thomas Jr.) Donaldson of Morresville, N.C., William (Sarah) Mitch of Kittanning, Connie Mitch of Pittsburgh, Carolyn (Stephen) Hartle of Saxonburg and Christina (Stephen) Davanzati of Butler; his 24 grandchildren, Curt's children, Elizabeth, Andrew, Joseph, Patrick, Matthew, Maria, Anthony, Anna and Katherine Mitch, Tawnya's children, Gavin and Keira Krebs, Vikki's children, Alexander and Cassidy Safran, Monica's children, Nicholas Robert and Viviana Donaldson, Bill's children, Liliana and Wyatt Mitch, Carolyn's children, Daniel, Judah, Zachariah, Joshua and Abigail Hartle, and Christina's children, Riley Mae and Carter Davanzati; four sisters, Linda (John) Spohn, Corine (Joseph) Pinto, Theresa Heade and Maria (Robert) Leventhal, all of Butler; 23 nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
In addition to his father, Bob was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Richard Fallecker and Paul Hesidence.
MITCH — Friends of Robert John Mitch, who died Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Boylan Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Connoquenessing Township, 856 Evans City Road, Renfrew.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church, 210 St. Wendelin Road, Butler, with the Rev. Matthew McClain, celebrant.Friends are asked to please meet at church.He will be laid to rest with military honors at St. Wendelin's Cemetery following the funeral Mass.If desired, memorial contributions may be made in Bob's honor to St. Vincent de Paul, 146 N. Monroe St., Butler, PA 16001.Expressions of sympathy may be shared with Bob's family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.
