Philip Vance Mitchell, age 77 of Fairborn, Ohio, passed away on March 1, 2012 after a long battle with cancer. He was the son of the late Gertrude (Garvin) Mitchell and Bruce Mitchell. He was a long-time resident of Akron, Ohio, where he was born on July 8, 1934. He was married to Leta (Danner) Mitchell of Mobile, Alabama, who preceded him in death in 1982. Phil served on the front line as an infantry soldier during the Korean War and earned several medals and battle stars. He worked for most of his life as an iron worker and belonged to Iron Workers Local 17. His favorite pastime over the last several years has been tracing his family's genealogy to the Revolutionary War and beyond. He also enjoyed working Sudoku puzzles. He was survived by his daughter Debra (Larry) Ealy of South Bend, Indiana; son Phillip (Ruth) Mitchell of Fairborn, Ohio; sisters Patricia Golay of Clinton, Ohio ; Virginia Derhammer of Canal Fulton, Ohio ; brother Bruce Mitchell of Ft. Meyers Beach, Florida ; 3 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by siblings Dallas Mitchell, James Mitchell, Barbara Smith, Larry Mitchell, Linda Workman and Ronnie Mitchell. Friends and family may call at Swigart-Easterling funeral home, 624 East Cherry Street, Canal Fulton, Ohio, 44614, on Sunday, March 4, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. where services will follow at 4:00 p.m. with Pastor Jeffery Hancock officiating. Internment will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman.

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