Joe Elwin Mitchell, 77, of Benton, KS passed away Friday, September 26, 2025. He was born August 6, 1948 in Weiser, ID to Lowell P and Lyndall E (Smith) Mitchell. Joe married Glennie Elaine Hadduck on June 7, 1968. They had two beautiful children: Jay Eldon and Jennie Ellen.

Joe graduated from Southern Colorado State College (Colorado State University, Pueblo) with a Bachelor of Industrial Arts Education degree in May 1970. Joe joined the United States Air Force in September 1970 and served for two years, eight months, finishing his military commitment at Buckley Air National Guard and was Honorably Discharged in September 1976.

Following his military service, Joe sold real estate with his father, opening his own company in Flagler, Colorado where he also farmed. In 1979, Joe answered the call and spent a year with his family on the mission field at Kibogora Free Methodist Mission Station in Rwanda, Africa. Joe's mission there was to assist in supervisory oversight while building a maternity wing on the mission hospital. He also worked as the maintenance man for the station.

In 1987, Joe again answered the "call" and was ordained by the Free Methodist Church of North America, taking a pastorate position at Northwest Free Methodist Church in Wichita, KS where he pastored for 11 years. Following this, Joe and Glennie returned home to Pueblo West, CO where he worked for his own company building houses and working construction.

Joe loved working with his hands, rebuilding cars and woodworking were his passions. He loved music and singing, especially with Glennie, and he passed on this talent to his children and grandchildren. He wholeheartedly loved Jesus, and served Him faithfully by being the hands and feet of Jesus through his service to others. He was lovingly devoted to his wife Glennie, caretaking for her even in his last days, and he loved his family more than anything…. Except maybe cars and golf.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lowell and Lyndall Mitchell, brother Doyle Mitchell, and sister Betty Newsome.

Survivors include wife Glennie Elaine (Hadduck) of Benton, KS; son, Jay E (Diana) of Addy, WA; daughter, Jennie E (Kevin) Brightup of Andover, KS; sister in law, Marilyn (Doyle) Mitchell of Pueblo West, CO; brother in law, JD (Betty) Newsome of Pueblo West, CO; brother, Don (Sandy) Mitchell of Alva, OK; brother in law, Tom (Kathy) Hadduck of Aurora, CO; sister in law, Sharon (Hadduck) Newman of Colorado Springs, CO; brother in law, Jerry (Katy) Hadduck of Colorado Springs, CO; 5 grandchildren, Geoffrey, Meghan (Jesse), Trevor (Becca), Nate, and Noelle; great-granddaughter Winry; and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at The Benton Church in Benton, KS on Sunday, October 19th at 2:00 pm. A come and go Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at The Benton Church in Benton, KS on Saturday, October 18th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given in Joe's name to either: The Benton Church or to Christ Church Wichita.