Robert J Mitchem

Mr. Robert J. Mitchem, 89, of Orlando, passed away April 22, 2011. A viewing will be held at 2 p.m. and funeral services at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at the LDS chapel at 8450 Silver Star Rd. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Mr. Mitchem was born March 15, 1922, in Crawfordville, Ark., and is survived by three of four children: Karen Staley, Robert Mitchem and Gary Mitchem, as well as 15 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by wife Betty Lou Mitchem, and daughter Cheryl Hancock.

Born the 10th of 12 children to William Thomas Mitchem and Ella Nola Davis Mitchem, of Darlington, Florida, Mr. Mitchem first moved to Orlando as an 11-year old boy. When he was 18 he joined the Navy and subsequently served in WWII and Korea.

Mr. Mitchem, or “Pappaw” as he was known to his grandchildren, retired from Southern Bell Telephone Company (now AT&T). He served for many years as the chaplain of the Orlando Chapter of the Telephone Pioneers of America, the volunteer organization of telephone industry workers. He also held many callings within the local congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including counselor in the bishopric and member of the stake high council.

After retirement, he continued serving in his church and with the Southern Bell Pioneers, but had more time for his favorite sport – golf. His dedication never wavered to his family attending countless family reunions, graduations, weddings, baptisms, etc. In his most important duty, he shined the brightest, taking care of his bedridden wife for the last several years of her life until she passed away Aug. 29, 2009. He was married for 62 years to the person he called “the most beautiful woman in the world.”

His family and friends will remember him as someone of great strength that could always be depended on.

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Gotha, FL.