Rev. Floyd H. Mitchell

Floyd H. Mitchell

August 29, 1924         August 14, 2017

     Floyd H. Mitchell, 92, of Martinsburg, PA, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, August 14, at The Village at Morrisons Cove with family by his side. The youngest of six children, Floyd was born August 29, 1924, to Rev. Zion and Martha Mitchell in Boones Mill, Virginia. Growing up on the family farm, Floyd developed a deep love for agriculture and planned to pursue the field professionally. Shortly before he entered college, he received a call from the church for ministry and trusting the congregation's call, let his life turn toward service to the church. Educated at Bridgewater College (BA) and Bethany Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry), Floyd spent 75 years in ministry as a pastor with the Church of the Brethren.

     Floyd married Kathleen Hull of Westminster, MD, on August 21, 1945, enjoying 71 years and 51 weeks of marriage. Together they raised their family in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, as Floyd followed the call to new congregations, retiring back in 1993 to Martinsburg, PA, where he had once served as pastor. In addition to his faithful wife Kathleen, Floyd is survived by his son Wayne Mitchell and daughter-in-law Maureen Mitchell of Roaring Spring, PA; son Glenn Mitchell and daughter-in-law Theresa Shay of Spring Mills, PA; son Mark Mitchell and daughter-in-law Heidi Schmidt of St. Charles, IL; grandchildren Nicole and Russ Moll of McKees Rocks, PA, with great-granddaughter Maysen Moll; Shane and Morgan Mitchell of Martinsburg, PA; Brenton Mitchell and Morgan Ilgen of Boalsburg, PA; and Rebekah Mitchell of  Squaw Valley, CA.Floyd is preceded in death by his five siblings and grandson Shannon Mitchell.   

     During his long career, Floyd pastored Church of the Brethren congregations at Middle River, VA (1947-1952); Martinsburg, WV (1952-1955); Easton, MD (1955-1961); Martinsburg, PA (1961-1971); Chambersburg, PA (1971-1982); and Gettysburg, PA (1982-1988). After officially retiring, Floyd served three interim pastorates, and worked for some years as chaplain of the Village at Morrisons Cove. He gave many hours volunteering at the Village, Memorial Church of the Brethren, and at the Middle Pennsylvania District Church of the Brethren.

     In addition to his love of God and ministry, Floyd gardened with passion and mastery. His commitment to his garden, through every season of the year, provided bountiful harvest that fed family members across multiple counties. Floyd also enjoyed teaching, reading, traveling, Swedish embroidery and bird-watching. From his back porch and on adventures with family, Floyd and Kathleen identified over 600 North American birds before they stopped keeping track.

     A memorial service for Floyd will be held Saturday, August 19, 2017, at 11 am, at Memorial Church of the Brethren, 210 N. Wall Street, Martinsburg, PA. A time of visitation with the family will be held 10 - 11 am at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Village at Morrisons Cove or Memorial Church of the Brethren.