Douglas M. Mitchell, 70, of Hutchinson, died Oct. 15, 2012, at Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. Douglas was born Mar. 14, 1942, in Lemmon, SD, the son of Edward and Irene Zimmerman Mitchell.

His family moved to Hutchinson in 1944, and he graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1960, and Hutchinson Junior College in 1962. He went on to earn a Bachelor's of Education and Master's of Educational Administration from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia. Doug worked in Kansas public schools as a teacher, principal, and administrator for more than 40 years, with stops in Colby, Partridge, Pretty Prairie, and DeSoto before coming home to Hutchinson in 1991. He served USD 308 as Director of Support Services until retiring in 2007.

Doug married Deanna Murphy on Mar. 29, 1961, in Hutchinson. She survives. Other survivors include: three children, Douglas Mitchell (Jodi Santarella) of Staten Island, N.Y., Darla Coffman (Donnie Coffman) of Belton, Mo., and David Mitchell (Michelle Renner) of Shawnee; a brother, James Mitchell (Irene) of Hutchinson, and Dennis Mitchell (Alice) of Lee's Summit, Mo.; five grandchildren, Kellee Coffman of St. Clair, Mo., Kylee Pennay (John) of Belton, Mo., Jack Mitchell of Staten Island, N.Y., Renee Mitchell and Eleanor Mitchell of Shawnee, and a 6th grandchild on the way; and three great-grandsons, Weston Coffman, Jack Pennay, and Lincoln Pennay, all of Belton, Mo. He was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Mitchell, and a sister, Marilyn Wyatt.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, 2012, at Elliott Mortuary, with Pastor Luke Helmuth presiding. Burial will be in Laurel Cemetery, near Haven. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, with the family greeting friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, all at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hutchinson Public Library, sent in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Please visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a condolence for Douglas' family.