Jeremiah Sterling Mitchel Sr - Obituary

Jeremiah Sterling Mitchel, Sr., age 86, of Daytona Beach, FL, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2024. Jeremiah had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in March, but ultimately died from a heart attack. Jeremiah was born July 23, 1938 in Bay City, Michigan, the son of Lester Mitchel and Elaine Beeson Mitchel. Jeremiah graduated from high school in 1956, then joined the Army in July 1957. He served until he was honorably discharged after having transferred to the National Guard in June 1967. Jeremiah most recently resided in Daytona Beach, Florida, with his wife Eve, whom he met in Corvallis, Oregon. They married in 2008 in Newport, Oregon, and spent 16 years in wedded bliss. Jeremiah worked in sales for a wide variety of companies during his lifetime. He also started a company with the intent to build more of the sailing yachts called Fast Passage. More information can be found at https://sailboat.guide/philbrooks/fast-passage-39. He poured his heart and soul into building just one, of which he was most proud. He then retired at 62 to spend more time with his children and family. Jeremiah deeply loved the outdoors, sailing, a rousing game of Chess with whoever would play, dancing, ‘boogie woogie piano’ music, building model airplanes, cooking delicious meals for his family. His evenings often included watching war movies and documentaries, complemented by a bowl of orange sherbet or coffee ice cream. He was well-known by his family, his friends, and his neighbors as always ready and willing to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. To his children, he offered unwavering love, sage advice, and constant encouragement. Jeremiah loved projects of all kinds, and would frequently come home after an early morning walk with his dogs (Missy and Murphy) with various odds and ends he had ‘saved’ from the curb, determined to fix them up. He always had a paint stain on his jeans and a hole in his shirt, evidence of his passion for working hard. His infectious laugh, his wide warm smile, his gift for story-telling, and his gentle spirit will be deeply missed. Remaining to cherish Jeremiah’s memory are spouse, Eve Mitchel; children, Brenda Mitchel-Alcock, Brand Mitchel, Beth Downing, Betty Roby, Jeremiah Mitchel Jr., Amelia Vaughan, Veronica Hennessey; stepchildren, Serena Piper, Nick Piper, and Jason Piper; cousins Lydia Malcolm and Bruce Beeson; and multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Preceding Jeremiah in death are son, Ezekiel Mitchel; and parents, Lester Mitchel and Elaine Beeson.