Galen Mitchell

Richard “Galen” Mitchell, 79, of Rigby, died Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at his home, surrounded by family and friends. He was born May 2, 1930, in Annis, to Richard Arlington Mitchell and Afton Idele Merrill Mitchell. He attended and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1949. On December 17, 1949, he married Delpha Jeanett Heyrend in Idaho Falls. He served in the US Army from 1952 to 1954. He worked for the INEL at TAN as a Hot Shop Tech, and also managed Ford Johnson service station in Idaho Falls. He was the Chairman of Jefferson County Park and Rodeo for 10 years, and was the Grand Marshall of the Jefferson County Stampede Parade in 1988. He enjoyed raising quarter horses, leather tooling, fishing, camping, hunting, 4-wheeling and loved to spend time with his grandchildren. Galen always had a smile and a joke. He will always be remembered for his helping hands, soft voice, kind heart, and endless love. The family expresses their thanks to the staff at Good Samaritan and especially to Suzie Jones at Advanced Home and Hospice. He is survived by his wife, Delpha Jeanett Mitchell, daughters; Jeanette (Carl) Anderson, Lori (Robert) Martin, Sherry Walker, all of Rigby, Amy (Roger) Cushman, of Ucon, sons; David (Jackie) Mitchell, Ben (Bridget) Mitchell, both of Rexburg, sister; Dorothy Brown, of Idaho Falls, 21 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 9, 2010, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 West Main Street, Rigby. The family will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., prior to services, both at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery, under the care of Eckersell Memorial.