Carl J. Mitch

US Air Force Veteran, Carl J. Mitch passed away with his daughters by his side on September 18, 2021. Carl is survived by daughters Tamara "Tami" McNicholas and Karlyn (late Matt) Strack, his seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and many nieces & nephews.  Carl was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Sena Mitch nee Mathews, his daughter Cheryl (James) Hensley, grandson Matthew McNicholas, his mother and father, Linda and Santer Mitch, his brothers Alex (Maryann) Mitch & James Mitch, and his sister Helen (Jack) Alexich.

Carl was born to an Armenian immigrant Santer, who was escaping the Armenian Holocaust and fled to Chicago where we met Carl's mother Linda. Carl quit school to work and joined the Air Force where he served in the Korean Conflict.  He met his future wife Sena on leave at Fort Snelling in Minneapolis, MN. He would often reminisce about her purple angora sweater on their first date. Carl & Sena resided in Homewood, IL with their three daughters. Carl worked faithfully as a Foreman at Republic Steel (LTV) for over 40 years before his retirement. Carl & Sena traveled to Lillehammer, Norway for the 1994 Olympics, traveled west to sightsee and would venture to the Casino to "enjoy the buffet".  Carl loved baseball, especially the Chicago Cubs, and even tried out for them.  Carl & Sena would often attend Wednesday games with their friends and traveled frequently with their tight knit group. He also loved horse racing.  Carl enjoyed road trips with his wife and kids, cooking, hanging out with his dogs, going to his grandchildren's sporting events, and helping at his church whenever he could.

Carl was always willing to provide his resources to others and was known to send whatever money he had to care for his mother. He was always wanting to provide and talked about his daughters' stability and wanting them to be taken care of once he was gone.

Carl will be remembered as always being a 'doer'.  He walked his dogs, cared for his wife and fished with his grandsons.  He always was the first person up in the morning and would whistle while he read the paper and drank his coffee in the kitchen.  His granddaughter remembers him ensuring that every square of her Eggo Waffle had syrup when she visited, mainly because he liked his waffles extra crispy aka burnt.  He always came home from Walt's with the discounted – on the verge of expired – bakery items, to go along with his morning coffee.

Carl was a dog lover!  His dogs were always the best fed in the house as nothing was too much for his K9 companion. As a youth, his beloved Blackie was by his side followed by Mincie, Brandy (the M&M bandit), and Chumley.  Through the loss of each of these dogs he showed compassion for their life and comforted his daughters as they grieved too. His current dog Charlie is waiting for a treat from his faithful owner, Carl.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be given to Salem Lutheran Church in honor of Carl. Memorials may be brought to services or mailed to Salem Lutheran Church, 18324 Ashland Ave, Homewood, IL 60430.

Visitation will be held for family and friends from 1 P.M. to 4 P.M. on Sunday, October 3, 2021 followed by a funeral service at 4 P.M. all at Tews-Ryan Funeral Home in Homewood, IL. Private burial on Monday, October 4, 2021 at 12 P.M. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery with military honors.

TO VIEW THE RECORDING OF THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR CARL J. MITCH, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW

https://youtu.be/-oJKMpfWDs0