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Obituary

Mitch, Lily Lou Barton. Born in Burlington, IA September 23, 1928. Peacefully passed in Kirkwood, MO on May 27, 2021. Lily's early years were spent near Roscoe, IA. Her father farmed and also sold Pierce Arrow automobiles at her grandfather's dealership in Roscoe. She started school in nearby Yarmouth, IA. The depression caused hardship for the family and they moved in 1942 to a farm near Mediapolis, IA. In spite of working like a farm hand she became a popular leader at Mediapolis High School. She helped establish and was a star on the first girls basketball team in Mediapolis. She followed with a degree in physical education at the University Of Iowa and taught PE in Davenport, IA and Houston, TX. In 1950 she picked up Gene Mitch, a hitch-hiker, "with beautiful eyes" and married him in 1951. They were devoted to each other for 70 years. She loved their adventures from Iowa to Texas, Switzerland, California, New York, Oregon and finally to Missouri. Her love of travel led her through all 50 states, Europe, England, Russia, South and Central America.

Lily was more than a companion. She set an example of how to give to her family and community. She became director of the Carlton Cadets, a 200 girl drum & bugle corps and marching unit that performed at high school football games In Texas. She had a part time job sorting Drosophila flies in a biology lab. She set an example for her daughters by community service, League of Women Voters (Chapter 9 activist), book fairs, symphony support, etc. When living in Portland, OR, she worked as a dispatcher for 18 wheelers hauling commodities and lumber. She knew the highways and byways in the US, better than Google today. She was a music mom, not a soccer mom, driving many miles to get her daughters to cello and flute lessons. She taught them the value of education, independence and respect for all people.

Lily is survived by her husband, Eugene Mitch, daughters Melanie (Ian) Halley and Cindy (Alvaro) Mitch-Gomez, sister Becky (John) Vose, brother Jack (Joyce) Barton and grandchildren Ross Halley, Adriana Gomez and Andres Gomez. She was preceded in death by grandsons Derick and Graham Halley.

Lily will be laid to rest in Burlington, Iowa, full circle from where she was born. A time for memorial services has not been established.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mediapolis, Iowa Public Library: [email protected]