New York- Mitchell Pender, 32, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Horseheads, New York, on Monday, January 30, 2023.

He was born on September 27, 1990, in Iron Mountain, Mich., son of Daniel and Catherine (Makimaa) Pender. Mitch graduated from Iron Mountain High School, class of 2009. He then completed his undergraduate studies in Chemistry at Albion College in Albion, Michigan, in 2013. Following graduation from Albion, Mitch completed his graduate studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, earning both a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) in 2018 and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Engineering in 2019. He then joined Corning, Inc. in Corning, New York, and held various technical management positions as part of the leadership development program.

Beyond Mitch's academic and professional accomplishments, he was an avid traveler, certified sky-diver, and car enthusiast. Mitch and his father, Daniel, fully restored a 1965 Ford Mustang over the course of a decade, and he has continued to enjoy upgrading the classic mustang and many of his other vehicles over the years.

Surviving Mitch is his wife of four years, Yingchao "Janet" Wang of Horseheads, New York; his parents Daniel and Catherine Pender of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; his brother Joshua Pender of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; two grandmothers; 16 aunts and uncles; and 22 first cousins.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 11, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, Mich. A memorial service will follow on Saturday, at 12:00 noon at the funeral home. Pastor Kevin Sullivan will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift in Mitchell's memory. Memorials can be mailed to: Yingchao Wang, 294 Stillwater Drive N, Horseheads, NY 14845.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Mitch's family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Mitch's legacy of life.