John Mitchum was born to Martin and Doris Mitchum on January 2, 1961 at St. Joseph Hospital in St.
Charles, MO. He graduated from Orchard Farm High School in 1979. John worked
for John Deere before becoming a Union Carpenter for Whittaker Homes,
eventually working his way up to Superintendent of various neighborhoods with
his most recent being New Town of St. Charles. During his tenure at Whittaker
Homes, John once won an award for 15 years on the job with no sick days; he was
a hard man to keep down. During the final stages of his 25 plus years of
carpentry, he traveled the country working commercial jobs, mainly helping to
build Cabela’s storefronts. He was very proud driving around St. Charles and pointing
out everything he had built or had a hand in building.
John may have been recognized as single by the state when he passed, but anyone that knew him
knows that he spent the previous 8 years in love with Sherri Weber. John is
survived by his son Zach Mitchum, his daughter in law Sara, granddaughter
Olivia, his son Luke Mitchum, his granddaughter Riley, and his daughter Hallie Gardner
and her husband Joseph. His sister Sharon Mitchell was by his side to the very
end with her husband Jim, and their kids Lacey and Sebastian. His sister
Juanita Visnaw, though half a country away, would continually visit when she
could, and if not in town, was a quick call to be by his side. He is also
survived by three other sisters, Susan, Janet, and Judy. John had a surplus of
family and friends, with some of his friends blurring the line between friend
and family.
John was known for being a master carpenter, never seeing a job as too big, while also possessing
a great love for being outdoors. He was an avid fisherman, duck hunter, and
always maintained too large of a garden. He was at his happiest gardening with
his John Deere tractor up at his property while always having his herd of dogs in
tow, when farming and running the Kline’s combine, bass or crappie fishing off
his boat, trudging through frigid water before sunrise to a blind at the
Sunshine Duck Club with friends, and spending quality time with his kids and
grandkids grilling for 20, when only 10 were eating. He was a fierce and loyal
friend whose presence in the room was always felt with his booming voice and a
hearty laugh, which happened to match seamlessly with his quick-witted humor (dirty
or clean).
Per John’s wishes, he was cremated, and a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 20th
from 12-6 at his house on 3108 Tally Ho Drive in St. Charles, MO. Please stop
by during this timeframe and share your stories with the family (we know there
are plenty out there). The family requests contributions be made to the Siteman
Cancer Center, MSC 1204-414-2300, 7425 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105 or
online at siteman.wustl.edu/tribute.
Please indicate the gift is in memory of “John Mitchum” by writing a memo on
your check.
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