Bernard Mitchell

Bernard "Bernie" L. Mitchell Bernard "Bernie" Lavern Mitchell, age 72, of Black River Falls, died Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at his home.Bernard was born November 13, 1941 in Colfax to Vernon and Emma (Stevens)Mitchell. After graduating from Menomonie Agriculture and High School he entered the United States Navy where he served from September 1, 1960 to July, 1961. While in the service he served on the USS Constellation. Following his honorable discharge he moved to Chicago where he began his career driving truck.Through his 42 years of trucking, he drove for Jack Gray Trucking of Gary, Indiana, Saunders Trucking of Colorado Springs, Colorado, TFS of Chicago, Illinois, Murphy Trucking of Black River Falls and Heding Truck Service of Union Center, Wisconsin. He was a member of Teamsters Local 710 and 695. Throughout the years he received numerous safe driving awards. Bernie married Elizabeth Barrett on May 23, 1983 in Menomonie, Wisconsin.Bernie enjoyed playing cards,gardening , working on puzzles, fishing, hunting and he was a Democrat who enjoyed talking politics. Bernie is survived by his two daughters, Veronica (Mathew) Heath of Black River Falls, Wisconsin and Ginger Mitchell (Ryan Heath) of Black River Falls, Wisconsin, one step - daughter Yvonne (Jeff) Traweek of Alabama, four step - sons, William Terry (Christine) Collett of Alabama, Ulysses Collett, Frank (Charlotte)Collett and Derrell Collett all of Kentucky, special niece, Raymonda Whitaker (Jim) of Bonnyman, Ky., He is further survived by two sisters, Dixie (Norman) Yaeger, of Menomonie, Wisconsin and Dawn (Robert) Zebro of Menomonie, Wisconsin, two brothers in-law, Ulysses (Joan) Barrett and Johnny (Molly) Roark, both of Kentucky, four sisters-in-law, Ginger Mitchell and Judy Mitchell both of Humbird, Wisconsin, Blanche (Carl) Collett and Laura Belle Collett, both of Kentucky, four grandchildren, Shelby, Aubrey, Peyton and Charlie Heath, numerous step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins Bernie was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Barrett, his parents, three brothers, Ralph, Russell, and Louis, step-granddaughter, Mandy Collett. A time for family and friends to gather will be Saturday, May 3, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Buswell Funeral Home (715-284-2231) 106 S. 2nd Street, Black River Falls. Additional Visitation will be held on Tuesday May 6, 2014 at 3:00 pm at the Lower Jacks Creek United Methodist Church, Jacks Creek, KY. Funeral Service will be on Wednesday May 7, 2014 at 11:00 am at the church. Burial will be in the Collett Family Cemetery in Essie, Kentucky. Military Rights will be observed by the Leslie County D.A.V Chapter #133. The following will serve as pallbearers: Matt Heath, Ryan Heath, Terry Collett, Frank Collett, Ulysses Collett, & Jim Mitchell, honorary pallbearers: T.j. Traweek & Lucky Traweek.