Joan "Jo" K. Mitchell

Joan” Jo” K. Mitchell passed away peacefully on April 16, 2020.  She was the first-born child of Roy Nelson Mitchell and Mary Elizabeth Keller Mitchell.  She was born on December 5, 1932 in Evansville, Indiana the family moved several times until settling in South Bend Indiana. 

The family grew in South Bend and Joan was instrumental in assisting with her younger brother Stephen.  The family spent their summers at Adams Lake Indiana, fishing, swimming, and boating.  Joan attended and graduated from Central High school, were she participated in several different sports thus beginning her love of many different sports.  After graduating high school Joan attended and graduated from Ball State Teachers College.  Beginning her teaching career at Cassopolis High School and eventually Joan was offered a position as a teacher and coach at Clay High School, where she quickly became a school favorite.  Joan taught physical education and coached many teams including tennis, basketball, volleyball, and Pom Poms. 

One of her most important achievements was during the time she petitioned the state high school board to allow a young man to play on the girl’s high school volleyball team.  At the time, the school did not have a volleyball team for boys and not wanting to see his talents wasted Joan advocated for her team making the national news. 

Joan was preceded in death by her father on March 11, 1982 and her mother in 2000.  Joan had been her mother’s caretaker before her passing. 

She is survived by her brother Stephen Mitchel, nephew Jeffrey Mitchell and wife Stacy and their children Taylor, Morgan, Grant, Connor, and Jackson; niece Kristin Mitchell and five second cousins along with many other friends. 

Joan will be remembered as being a coach, teacher, friend and will continue to be the pillar of our family.