Bruce Mitchell

Bruce Palmer Mitchell, 75, of Vassar, passed away April 25, 2020, at his home following a brief period of hospice care. According to his wishes, cremation has taken place with arrangements handled by Hanlin Funeral Home.

Born on January 2, 1945, to Harry and Florence (Ward) Mitchell, “Mitch” as he was more commonly known grew up in Ferndale, Michigan. Despite suffering from polio as a child, Mitch was an active young man. Out of high school, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Air Force in 1964. Later he worked at racing stables in southeast Michigan, quickly becoming a well-respected horse handler and trainer.

The stables are where he met Linda Gleason whom he married in Westland, Michigan on June 7, 1969. In 1972, Bruce and Linda moved to Vassar due to their love of the countryside and the open space for their horses. Together they had 8 children, 18 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Mitch was a lifelong conservative. He was a hard worker and passed that work ethic on to his kids. Over the course of his career, he worked primarily in the automotive and chemical industries before retiring in 1996 due to complications of Myasthenia Gravis. Outside of work, he loved history – particularly that of the Civil War and World War II, calligraphy, drawing cartoons, watching sports and telling stories. Before his health failed him, he was a pro with a chainsaw and splitting maul.

Mitch was pre-deceased by his parents, his brother Larry and grandson Kyle. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchild. His children include Bruce (Tonya) of Plymouth, Tracy of Vassar, Angela (Michael) Haynes of Vassar, Melissa (Adam) Carpenter of Owosso, Ryan of Vassar, Jeffrey (Meaghan) of Bay City, Crystal Dantzer of Clio, and Neil of Sheridan.

The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date in Hessel, Michigan where Bruce had made many fond memories.

Hanlin Funeral Home

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