Leslie Coleman Mitchell

RUPERT – Leslie Coleman Mitchell, age 74, passed away at his home in Rupert, on Saturday, March 15, 2014, after a three year battle with cancer.

Leslie was born on Dec. 4, 1939, in Monteview, Idaho, the son of Alexander “Sandy” Mitchell Jr., and Dorothy Marian Hawley Mitchell. He graduated from West Jefferson High School in 1958. He married MarJean Hayes on Nov. 22, 1961, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Together, they had six children, Jamie, Jeffery, Jonathan, Margo, Jessica and Jennifer. They divorced in 1980. He then married Rose Garner on June 25, 1983, in Arco, Idaho, and joining this union was Rose’s children, Jody, Shawn, Kris and Shane.

He served in the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam War as a drill sergeant. Upon his return, he worked as a truck driver, heavy equipment operator, farmed, ranched and retired from the INEL as a quality engineer.

He enjoyed hunting bears, cougars, racoons and coyotes with his Hounds and liked woodworking, welding, and horseback riding. He was an avid outdoorsman and gun collector. He was an outstanding engineer and could construct almost anything from wood or metal. He also enjoyed coaching kids’ football and was the past president of the Eastern Idaho Houndsman Association.

Leslie is survived by his wife, Rose Mitchell of Rupert; his children, Jamie L. Mitchell of Arco, Jeffery C. Mitchell of Burley, Jonathan A. Mitchell of Garland, Utah, Margo J. Mitchell of Minot, N.D., Jessica Roberts of Rigby, and Jennifer Buckmaster of Idaho Falls; his stepchildren, Jody Haney of Burley, Shawn Haney of Salt Lake City, Utah, Kris Haney of Boise, and Shane Haney of Blackfoot; 33 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Joyce Utz, and Ruth Bosteder both of Richland, Wash., Sandy Mitchell of Sugar City, June Gardner living in Tennessee, and Mary Beth Chestnut of Eugene, Ore.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandsons, Nicholas Haney and Rory Mitchell; and siblings, Ladd Mitchell, Larry Mitchell, and Martha Ann Mitchell.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, with Pastor David Long officiating. Military rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization.

A viewing for family and friends will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Thursday at Rasmussen Funeral Home.