DAVID I. MITCHELL, 58, of OCEAN GROVE, died Monday, June 20, 2005, at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune after perfecting his final golf swing at Colonial Terrace. He worked as an art teacher for the Brick Township Board of Education until retiring in 2002 after 33 years of service. He was a lifeguard in Ocean Grove for 34 years, a profession he considered his purpose in life. Teaching was a hobby he pursued in order to spend his summers at a place he called The Best Office in the World. Mr. Mitchell was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Ocean Grove and the president of the church's board of trustees. He was the past president and an exempt member of the E. H. Stokes Fire Company and a past captain of the Ocean Grove First Aid Squad. He was active in the Ocean Grove Citizens Patrol, and a member of both the US Lifesaving Association and ANSWER, the Area Network Shore Water Emergency Response. During the last few years he enjoyed a God-given talent as a guitarist with Cannonball Red and The Front Porch Philharmonic Praise Band. Born in Philadelphia, PA, he lived in Ocean Grove for 36 years.
Surviving are his wife, Roberta Reaser Mitchell, three sons, Matthew D. Mitchell and his wife, Rachel, of Ocean Grove, Lt. Mark R. Mitchell, currently serving in the US Navy and his wife, Alison, of Silverdale, Washington and Luke J. Mitchell of Ocean Grove, and a brother, Louis W. Mitchell, Jr., of Jackson. He will be forever missed by his two grandchildren, Meredith and Ethan whom he loved dearly. Friends were invited to call on Thursday, June 23rd from 5:00 - 6:30 PM at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, New York & Embury Avenues, Ocean Grove. A funeral ceremony will follow at 7:00. Interment was on Friday at 10:00 AM at the Hamilton Cemetery, Neptune. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Paul's Contemporary Worship.