Vera A. Mitchell, nee Burgess, age 81, of Fairview Heights, IL, born on April 21, 1943, in East St. Louis, IL, died on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.
Vera retired after 30 years as a switchboard operator in the St. Clair County Courthouse. She was a long-time committee member and volunteer for the Fairview Heights Homecoming and a devoted service sorority member. Vera was very active in her husband Gail’s mayoral campaigns and civic events over his many years of public service. Vera showed kindness to everyone she met, without fail. She loved her family and especially adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gail D. Mitchell, Sr., her parents, Elmer R. and Geneva, nee Russell, Burgess; her sister, Dorothy Nell Williams; and her brothers, Harold Burgess, Clifton Burgess, and Elmer Jean Burgess.
Vera is survived by her children, Gail D. (Chris) Mitchell Jr. of Troy, IL, Gary D. (Susie) Mitchell of Bowling Green, KY, Cindy L. (James) Fietsam of Belleville, IL, and Angie M. Vehlewald of Fairview Heights, IL; her grandchildren, Jamie Mitchell (Kevin Krause), Sara (Doug) Cox, Alex (Brook) Mitchell, Ryan Mitchell (John Qualls), Kimberly Mitchell, Megan Fietsam, Jimmy Fietsam, Miranda Vehlewald, Spencer Vehlewald, Gabby Vehlewald, and Grant Vehlewald; her great-grandchildren, Camden, Iris, Eden, Riley, Levi, Cooper, Baker, River, and Nora; her brothers, Richard (Judy) Burgess of O’Fallon, IL, and Eugene (Lori) Burgess of O’Fallon, IL; and her brother-in-law, Jerry Mitchell of Ocala, FL.
Memorials may be made to Elk’s Lodge #664 or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL.
Ladies of the Elk Lodge will hold a Rose Ceremony on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 9:45 a.m. at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL.
Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL, with Robert Forhetz officiating. Interment will be in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.
