Raymond Mitchell, 88, of Covington, passed away July 16. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he served his country during World War II. Mr. Mitchell participated in action against the enemy at Peleliu, Palau Group, was among the first to land at Okinawa and Ryukyu Islands and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received at Okinawa. He was a member of Sewell United Methodist Church. Mr. Mitchell was employed by C&D Batteries for 20 years, before retiring from Golden State Foods. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and was a surrogate father to many children. To know him was to love him. Mr. Mitchell was preceded in death by his son Gary Mitchell, parents Roy and Annie (Polson) Mitchell, brother Charlie Mitchell and sister Flossie Dick.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 66 years Dorothy (Lunsford) Mitchell; daughter-in-law Sherryl Mitchell; sister Aileen Collins, all of Covington; grandchildren Christie Mitchell Phillips, Donald Raymond Mitchell and his wife Robin; great-granddaughters Kennedy Phillips, Morgan Phillips; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Mitchell will be held tomorrow, July 19 at 11 a.m. at the chapel of Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road, with the Rev. Richard Harris and the Rev. Danny Standard officiating and interment following in Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. today, July 18. Flowers are accepted, or donations may be made, in honor of Mr. Mitchell, to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.