Earl Leo Mitchell, Jr., 73, of Mt. Crawford, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at his residence.

Mr. Mitchell was born on January 20, 1952 in Harrisonburg, and was a son of the late Earl Leo Mitchell Sr., and Ivy Arlene (Dove) Mitchell. Earl graduated from Montevideo High School in 1970 and later from Blue Ridge Community College with a degree in Machine Shop. He worked in maintenance for 16 years at Kawneer, and later retired after 24 years from Hershey Foods in Stuarts Draft. Mr. Mitchell was a member of Mt. Pleasant Church of the Brethren in Harrisonburg. Earl was a mountain man and loved hunting deer and especially wild turkeys. He also enjoyed being outdoors hiking and cutting firewood. In recent years, Earl and his wife Phyllis began participating in Cruise-ins and antique car shows. He proudly drove “Henrietta” his 1969 Z28 Camaro to shows all around the local area. Earl was also a lifelong member of the NRA and proud supporter of the 2nd Amendment.

On March 12, 1977 he married the former Phyllis Ann Gray, who survives.

In addition to his wife, Earl is survived by his children, Nathan Mitchell and wife, Amanda of Penn Laird, Rachel Morris and husband, Luke of Mt. Solon; brothers, Larry Mitchell and wife, Brenda, Keith Mitchell and wife, Frances, Dennis Mitchell and girlfriend, Chris Besendorfer; sisters, Wanda Muterspaugh and husband, Troy, Linda Cline and husband, Gary; brother in law, Charles Gray of Mountain Valley; a grandson whom he loved and adored, Josiah Morris; special friend, Jerry Hall; and his beloved dog, Miss Lady Bella.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.

Burial will be held privately and at a later date.

Earl’s family would like to extended a heartfelt thank you to First Choice Hospice for their love, compassion and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorial contributions be made to Anicira Veterinary Center by visiting https://anicira.org/donation-selection/