John Russell “Jack” Mitchell or J.R. as he loved to be called, passed away peacefully in Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Thursday, November 29, 2001 at the age of 84. Jack was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on April 4, 1917, two months after his father passed away. He started school in Stirling, Scotland at the age of four and a half with his Aunt Elizabeth as the teacher. He returned with his mother and sister to his father’s homestead (1900), where they could see McNutt, SK out of the kitchen window (no trees). Jack, at 6 years old skipped Grade 1, and then later skipped Grade 7. He graduated from Goose Lake High School at the age of 16.

He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941, and trained as an electrician. He then became an electrical instructor, until he re-enlisted as a navigator. He was scheduled to go to the Pacific, when the war ended.

While in the Air Force he married Ethel Viola McDonald of McNutt, SK on August 14, 1943. Their homesteads were just three miles apart, but were separated by the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border and the Assiniboine River. After the war Jack and Ethel returned to the family homestead. His mother then moved to Roblin, and lived one house East of the old Hall, until she passed away in 1982, at the age of 95. Jack and Ethel built a new home on the homestead in the 1970’s. Jack was very inventive, putting into his new home, an elevator, green house, solar water panels, low voltage wiring, central vacuum cleaner and heat pumps.

Jack was very active in the community, being a charter member of the Tummel-Roblin Credit Union, the Roblin Co-op, the Roblin Pool Elevator Board, the Roblin Co-op Housing Board, the Tummel United Church (where his Grandfather was a charter member), sang bass in a number of church choirs, member of the United Church Presbytery, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Horticultural Society, the Agricultural Society, the Tummel Beef Ring, the Tummel Farm Forum, the Cromarty 4-H Tractor Club and 4-H Automotive Club, the Roblin Fair Board, the Manitoba 4H Board, the Roblin Airport Board, Roblin Economic Development Board. As well as supporting the Liberal party, Jack was also an enumerator for every election and every census for many years. An active member of the Historical Society, Roblin History Books and the Hudson Bay Route Assoc., J.R. served his community at every opportunity for decades. Every good deed starts with just one thought. This sums up dad’s life. He will be profoundly missed.

Leaving to mourn his passing are his wife, Ethel of Roblin, three sons and their wives: Robert & Marilyn of Amarillo, Texas; Brian & Marilyn of Regina, Saskatchewan; Scott & Alexis of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and his sister Jean Purdy of Winnipeg. Jack was predeceased by his parents, and Ethel’s brother, John, and sister Emma, of whom he took affectionate care.

Honorary pallbearers are Jack’s grandsons Trent, Kevin, Brett, Greg, David, Bryan and Darren. Traveling abroad and unable to be here are grandchildren Jonathan and Jennifer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tummel United Church, Royal Canadian Legion or a charity of your choice.