Geneva L. Mitchell

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Geneva L. Mitchell, 97, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., formerly of Harrisburg, passed away Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 at the Healthcare Center in California.

She was born July 28, 1911, in Saline County to the late Ellis and Mary (Reed) Pankey. On Dec. 16, 1931, she married Charles F. Mitchell and he preceded her in death. She was a retired bookkeeper for United Cities Gas Co. and operated her own catering business.

Geneva was an active church and choir member of the First Christian Church in Harrisburg. She was also very active as a charter member of the Saline Association of Retarded Citizens (SARC) since 1954; served on the Coleman Tri-County Service Board for over 25 years; member and past president of Business and Professional Women (BPW); and was presented a 2001 Illinois Woman of the Year Achievement Award by former Lt. Gov. Corrine Wood.

Geneva is survived by her son, Delbert and wife Ann Mitchell of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; three grandchildren, Gary Mitchell of Thousand Oaks, Calif. Keith Mitchell of Los Angeles, Calif. and Sally and husband Michael Estrada of Newbury Park, Calif.; and two great-great-grandchildren, Roxanne and Rachel Estrada of Newbury Park, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her: parents; husband; son, Jack E. Mitchell; two sisters, Velma Pankey and Lucille McMullen; and four brothers, Lewis, George, Harry and Fred Pankey.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Reed Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Howard Scott officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Valley Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg. Condolences may be sent to the Obituary Page of the Internet site www.reedfuneralchapel.com.