GILBERT MITCHELL JR.
Downington, Pennsylvania [2016] — Gilbert Mitchell Jr., age 91, formerly of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and Alexandria, Virginia, died peacefully on Thursday, April 21, 2016.
He was born April 4, 1925, in Lykens, a son of the late Gilbert Mitchell Sr., and Anna [Miller] Mitchell.
He was a 1943 graduate of the former Lykens High School.
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and conductor emeritus of The U. S. Army Band in Washington, D. C.
He will be forever remembered for his love of the Lord, impeccable musical artistry, leadership and teaching acumen.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Joyce S. Mitchell.
He is survived by a sister, Marilyn Reedinger of Lykens, Pennsylvania; daughters, Lisa Galoci, of Manassas, Virginia, and Megan Kabatt of Exton, Pennsylvania; and six grandchildren.
A small family memorial service to celebrate Gil’s life was held April 30 [2016] at Messiah Lutheran Church, 46 West Lancaster Avenue, Downington, Pennsylvania.
Public military funeral with funeral honors will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Gil’s memory be made to the Brass of Peace, a youth musical ensemble founded by Gil to foster and encourage musical excellence. Such donations may be made through their website, www.brassofpeace.org.
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Obituary was published in a Lykens Valley newspaper at the time of his death, 2016.