Rev. Msgr. John J. Mitchell

Deceased: 2017-11-22

Diocese: ROCKFORD

ICTE Spring: 1994

---

Rev. Msgr. John J. Mitchell, 81, of Rockford passed away Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at Lincolnshire Place, Loves Park.

He was born March 21, 1936 in Elgin the son of William P. and Rita J. Meagher Mitchell. John grew up in Elgin and was a graduate of St. Edward High School in 1954. He received a BA from St. Mary College, Baltimore, MD and a Master”s Degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master”s in Divinity from St. Mary College in Baltimore. He was ordained as a priest in the Rockford Diocese on May 26, 1963 retiring on July 1, 2008.

He served as Principal at Boylan Catholic High School, Rockford from 1975 until 1983 and then was Pastor at St. Bridget Catholic Church, Loves Park from 1983 until 2008. Surviving are his sister, Nancy Shoemaker of Geneva, IL, sister in law, Beth Mitchell of Carpentersville, many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, William P. Mitchell Jr., Terrence E. Mitchell and a nephew, William P. Shoemaker.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, November 29, at St. Bridget Catholic Church, Loves Park. Burial will be private at St. Mary”s Cemetery, Gilberts. Visitation will be held on Monday, November 27 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:45 PM at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Elgin and then on Tuesday November 28 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at St. Bridget Catholic Church with a prayer service at 7:45 PM.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to The Mitchell Scholarship Fund at St. Edward High School, Elgin. Laird Funeral Home, Elgin is assisting the family.