George P. Mitchell, 83, a Glen Ellyn resident for 12 years and formerly of East Chicago, died Wednesday in Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Mr. Mitchell was a retired engineer, whose real interest was in music. “He wanted to be an opera singer but lost his breath control after developing pneumonia as a young man,” said his daughter Kathy Kotecki. Still, Mr. Mitchell pursued his passion by playing the piano and singing for his family and with choral groups, including the Male Chorus of East Chicago. “He was at the center of the fun whenever our family got together,” said Kotecki. “He sat at the piano and we all just sort of circled around him.” Mr. Mitchell attended Purdue University and Indiana University, and was a member of the Elks Lodge in East Chicago and Highland, Ind. He was also a member of the Instrument Society of America. Other survivors include his wife, Adele Davis; a son, Rob; three daughters, Janet Volk, Maureen Almond and Jeanne Kent; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday in Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home.
