Look what I found about our Iowa blacksmith (previous post)

Obituaries

Alvin Lawrence Mitchell, Creston

(From the Adams County Free Press, Thursday, November 8, 2001 [page 2])

Alvin Lawrence Mitchell, 84, of Creston died Nov. 3, 2001, at Greater Community Hospital in Creston. Services were 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at Coen-Beaty-Pearson Family Funeral Service in Corning with the Rev. Lowell Schaff officiating. Burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery at Guss. Memorials may be directed in his name. Coen-Beaty-Pearson Family Funeral Service in Corning was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Mitchell was born Sept. 24, 1917, to William Lee and Ruth Ann Lawrence Mitchell. He attended Corning schools. He married Lois Darlene Ridnour Feb. 26, 1940, in Shenandoah. He was a blacksmith, farmer and square dance caller, living in Guss, and Adams County until he moved to Creston in 1995. Mr. Mitchell was a member of Guss Maple Grove Church, Boots and Bows Square Dance Club and Southwest Iowa Callers Association.

Survivors include wife Lois Darlene Mitchell of Creston; four sons, Gary (wife Marilyn) Mitchell of Corning, Lloyd (wife Karen) Mitchell of Corning, Darol (wife Pam) Mitchell of Prescott, and Joe (wife Sandy) Mitchell of Ottumwa; two daughters Ronda (husband Terry) Plowman of Creston and Monica (husband Gary) Briley of Creston; brother Paul Laverne (wife Osil) Mitchell of Corning; 30 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law; and great-grandson, Jeramie Mitchell.

Now I never knew he was a square dance caller or a farmer, but I was just a kid.  So I wouldn't have known or cared about either one.  My parents used to play cards with Alvin and Lois, and I played with their three kids.  My Internet search shows they had three more children after we moved to Missouri.