Marian Jean Mitchell (91) of Springfield, formerly of Effingham

Marian Jean Mitchell, 91, of Springfield, formerly of Effingham, died at 12:02 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital Hospice in Springfield, IL.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 19 at Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. Fourth Street in Effingham, IL, with Rev. David McConnell officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday prior to the service at Johnson Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mound Cemetery in Cowden. Memorials may be made to the Effingham County Courthouse Museum, FACE, or the Little Theatre on the Square, PO Box 288, Sullivan, IL 61951.

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Jean was born on September 7, 1925 in Shelby County, IL, the first child of Albert B. and Arna A. (Phipps) Cihak. She married Burl D. Mitchell on May 3, 1945 in Cowden, IL, and he preceded her in death on April 15, 2010. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She also cherished her friends, many of whom she had since high school, and the new ones she made while recently residing in Springfield. These friendships were an invaluable part of her life. Jean was a member of the First Christian Church in Effingham, where she served as a deaconess and church treasurer for many years. She was also involved with and a member of many community organizations throughout her life. Among those were PTA, Band Parents, Girl Scouts (serving as a leader), the Effingham Garden Club, Cardinal Golf Club, Crossroads Vintage Car Club, and was a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Her volunteer activities included working for the FISH Store, serving as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army red kettle program, and at The Cross at the Crossroads. More recently she helped with the summer lunch program for children. Her courage and strength in the face of a rare blood disease continued to touch those around her until the end.

Jean is survived by her loving daughter, Linda (David) Christensen of Springfield, IL; her two granddaughters, Kari (Brendan) Murphy of Leesburg, VA, and Erin (Sam) Clayton of Morton, IL; two great-grandsons, William and Daniel Murphy; and two great-granddaughters, Coraline and Stella Clayton; and her nephew, Martin Moore of Tipp City, OH.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister; grandson, Jay Christensen; and one nephew.