Ward Stanley Mitchell, Sr., 83, of Kingsford, died following a short illness on Sunday, May 3, 2009, at The Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Kingsford. He was born on May 27, 1925, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Charles Mitchell and Elsie (Muller) Wickman. Ward graduated from Iron Mountain High School, Class of 1943. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the US Army, Asiatic Pacific Theater as a combat engineer for the 742nd Engineers Base Equipment Company. After returning from the service, he graduated from Northern Michigan University and Minnesota College of Business and Transportation, with graduate studies from the University of Michigan. He married Donna Mae Lindahl of Gladstone on April 21, 1956. Together they lived and worked in Gladstone until 1959, then returned and has resided in Iron Mountain – Kingsford area until his death. Ward worked as Administrator for the Michigan Department of Social Services in Dickinson County until retiring in 1984. He served on the Breitung Township School Board for eight years, on the Dickinson County Community Schools Board, and for ten years on the Board of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America. He served as Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Community Federal Credit Union for sixteen years, and as Chairman of the Credit Union Supervisory Committee for six years. He was a very proud son of the Iron Mountain-Kingsford area and the Upper Peninsula. Ward was an outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time at camp, hunting, fishing, gardening, IMHS and NMU alumni events, and traveling as a representative of the IMK Credit Union. He was always quick with a cute joke, a one-liner, or a twist of phrase. Ward is survived by his wife of 53 years, Donna; daughter, Ann Mitchell, Oak Park, Ill.; two sons, Russell Mitchell, Schofield, Wis., Ward Mitchell, II, Kingsford; two granddaughters, Lindsey Mitchell, Kyra Mitchell; brother-in-law, Jim Pericolosi; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Russell Mitchell; three sisters, Vivian Sericati, Lucille Negri, and Carol Pericolosi. You may light a candle in remembrance of Ward or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com The Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, is serving the family. Visitation will be Friday, May 8, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, and Saturday, May 9, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain. The funeral service will be Saturday, 11:00 a.m. at the church. Pastor Stephen Cowen will officiate. American Legion Uren-Cooper Post No. 50 will accord graveside military honors. Burial will be in Cemetery Park, Iron Mountain.