Michael “Mike” John Mitchell, of Antigo, died Friday, October 7, 2016 at Eastview Medical and Rehabilitation. He was 73 years old.

He was born July 24, 1943 in Appleton, son of the late Leonard and Bethel (Prue) Mitchell. He married Janet Stadler on September 3, 1966 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Little Chute, and they recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. Prior to living in Antigo, they resided in Stevens Point, Portage, and Oshkosh.

Mike grew up in Kimberly and graduated from Kimberly High School. He earned his B.S. in Soil Sciences from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, and his M.S. in Water Resources from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He was employed as a soil scientist for the US Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service.

Mike was a member of the Jaycees, Swamp Angels Sportsmen’s Club, and he played horseshoes and pool at the Antigo VFW. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and had a great love of gardening.

Survivors, in addition to his wife Jan Mitchell of Antigo, include 3 daughters, Michele (Jeff) Novak of Knowlton, Tina (Dell) Herbst of Winneconne, and Tara (Jim) Hoffman of White Lake; 4 grandchildren, John and Zachary Malone, and Scott and Abby Craig; 3 step-grandchildren, Phoenix and Santana Herbst, and Bobby Novak; a step-great grandson, Milo Wenzel; a sister, Linda (Wayne) Houlberg of Oak Ridge, TN; 4 brothers, Dave (Maria) Mitchell of Kaukauna, Bob (Kay) Mitchell of Kaukauna, Randy Mitchell (Kay) of Kaukauna, and Dan (Nancy) Mitchell of Appleton; his mother-in-law, Leona Stadler of Combined Locks; 2 sisters-in-law, Carole Metoxen of Little Chute, and Debbie (Tom) Yingling of Appleton; and 2 brothers-in-law, Tom (Lynn) Stadler of Menasha, and Jay (Nancy) Stadler of Sherwood.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Joe (Judy) Mitchell; his father-in-law, Robert Stadler, and a brother-in-law, Ron Metoxen.

A memorial mass will take place Wednesday at 12:00 noon at SS. Mary & Hyacinth in Antigo, with Fr. Jeremiah Worman officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff in the Blue Wing of Eastview Medical and Rehabilitation for their care.