Howard Dwain Mitchell, 86
Funeral services for Howard Dwain Mitchell, 86, of Wasola, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2026, in the Clinkingbeard Chapel in Ava with burial following in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Wasola. Visitation will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, prior to the service. Officiating will be Pastor Robert Roberts and Pastor Jason Snelson.
He died April 25 at the Cox South Medical Center Emergency Room in Springfield. Howard was born June 25, 1939, in McClurg to Teddy Chester and Octie Jane (Jenkins) Mitchell.
He grew up in McClurg community.
On March 4, 1961, Howard and Ella Faye Clayton were united in marriage at McClurg by his sister, Reverend Louise Jennings and together were blessed with three daughters, Dana, Dara, and Fanya.
Howard was a retired welder, having worked for Hutchens Steel Plant in Mansfield for 30 years. In his earlier life with Ella Faye, they went to Washington state to pick fruit.
Howard was a Christian and loved to attend Girdner Church and Oak Grove Church. Howard’s biggest joy was his kids and grandkids. He loved to hunt and fish with his brothers, grandkids, and other family members. He enjoyed woodworking, eating fish, playing jokes on people, watching his flowers grow, and putting out a vegetable garden, big enough to feed all of Wasola!
Howard is survived by his wife, Ella Faye; his daughters and their spouses: Dana and Ralph Brazeal, Dara Strong, and Fanya and Delmar Scott; 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren, with one on the way; three great-great-grandchildren; three siblings: Barb Ellison, Gary and Connie Mitchell, and Sharon Rush; many nieces; nephews; extended family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters: Louise and husband, Lloyd Jennings, Evelyn and husband, Jerry Waymire, Patsy and husband, Jon Agee, infant sister, Dorothy and sister, Goldie Mitchell; his brother and wife, Rod and Brenda Mitchell; two brothers-in-law: Howard Ellison and Norman Rush.
Family requests that memorials be made to Bethel Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.