Gene Lee Mitchem

Gene Lee Mitchem, 65, Nevada, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo., following a lengthy illness. He was born Jan. 28, 1944, in Nevada, to Everett Lee Mitchem and Wilma Ruth Walker Mitchem. He married Mary Ann Riggs on June 24, 1962, in Nevada, and she survives of the home.

Gene grew up in Nevada and graduated from Nevada High School in 1962. He worked for C.A. White Motors for a number of years, worked in credit and finance for U. S. Credit Life, also worked for Thorpe's Appliance for many years. Gene owned and operated GM Gun and Pawn for the past 10 years, retiring in 2009. He was a member of the BPO Elks No. 564, was active for many years with Oakdale 4-H and Vernon County 4-H Youth Fair. Gene was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Survivors, in addition to his wife Mary Ann of the home, include his son, Buck Mitchem and his wife Christi, Schell City; his daughter, Heather Mitchem Gade and her fiancé Daniel Fletcher, Galena, Mo.; four grandchildren, Forest Mitchem, Bowen Gade, Sydney Gade, and Shiloh Mitchem; and one sister, Wanda Ann Durham, Rich Hill, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, Dec. 11, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute in his memory to the American Cancer Society in care of Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.