Robert Alvin 'Toots' Mitchem

Dec. 9, 1919--Aug. 15, 2005

Robert Alvin "Toots" Mitchem, 85, died Monday (Aug. 15, 2005) at his home in McCook. He was born Dec. 9, 1919, at Simla, Colo., the son of the late Jesse and Viretta (Bales) Mitchem. He grew up in McCook where he attended McCook Schools. On Nov. 9, 1942, he entered the United States Army and served in the 735 and the 743 Tank Battalions. He received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his actions at Omaha Beach during World War II. Following his discharge on Oct. 30, 1945, he moved to Denver, Colo., where he married Lillian Bryant on Aug. 22, 1953. They resided in Denver, Colo., where he was a truck driver for Consolidated Freight Lines retiring in 1966. He moved to McCook in 2001.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian on Dec. 13, 1999; one son, Johnny Mitchem; one daughter, Gernadine Mitchem; two brothers, Dale Mitchem and Glen Mitchem; half-brother, Harry Desmond; and sisters, Sylvia Rogers, Eva Foster, Elva Drake and infant Vivian Mitchem.

He is survived by sons, Tommy Mitchem and wife, Raymona of Englewood, Colo., and Dennis Mitchem and wife, Marna of Arvada, Colo.; daughter, Barbara Mitchem of Arvada, Colo.; brothers, Gale Mitchem and wife, Lee of Yuma, Ariz., and Vernon Mitchem of McCook; one sister, Marjorie Brown and husband, Silas of McCook; and relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005, 10:30 a.m., at the Assembly of God Church in McCook with the Rev. Dorothy Corder officiating. Interment with military honors will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook.

Memorials may be given in his name and friends may call at Herrmann Funeral Home in McCook.