Walter Mitchum Obituary

Mitchum Sr., Colonel Walter Leroy age 93, Walter Mitchum passed away on January 6, 2010 at his home in Chicago. He was born August 17, 1916 in Paris, TN to Bertie and Will Mitchum. Walter was the fourth of five children including Gretchen, Hiawatha, Will and Samuel. Walter graduated from Lemoyne College in Memphis, TN where he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha. There he met Memphis native, Cleo Fields. They were married in 1943 and eventually settled in Chicago. They had four children, Walter Jr., Robert, Charles, and Elizabeth. His beloved Cleo passed away in 1994 after over 50 years of marriage. Walter married his devoted wife Sylvia Ewing on July 27, 1996. They enjoyed travel and other pursuits together during their 13 loving years of marriage. Walter entered active duty in the U.S. Army in 1943 and served with distinction in Europe during World War II. Walter's 33-year military career culminated with his promotion to full Colonel. Walter also had a long and distinguished career with the Social Security Administration at Chicago's Great Lakes Program Service Center. While working there as a Claims Authorizer, Walter was a long-time member and President of Local 1395 of the American Federation of Government Employees. He also, was a past President and officer of the Chicago Area Office Federal Employees Credit Union. Walter's talents and interests included photography, gardening, home improvement and military history. Mr. Mitchum is survived by his wife, Sylvia, his children, Robert, Charles and Elizabeth, their spouses, Patrina, Cathy, and Johnny Davis, respectively, his grandchildren, Walter III, Jessica, Charles Jr., Robert, Elizabeth, John, Asia and India. Walter will be deeply missed by many other relatives, colleagues and friends. Wake Wednesday, 11:00 a.m. Funeral 12:00 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home, Ltd., 63 E. 79th St., Chicago, IL 60619. Interment Evergreen Cemetery, Everygreen Park.