James Mitrisin

James Mitrisin

James Mitrisin
April 25, 1928 – November 20, 2016
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 88
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran

Jim Mitrisin, 88, of Oskaloosa passed away Sunday, November 20, 2016, at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa. James Joseph Mitrisin, son of Emma Elizabeth (Cox), was born April 25, 1928, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Jim and his brother, Bill, were raised by his grandparents, George and Ann Mitrisin.

Jim attended Oskaloosa schools. Following his education, Jim served in the United States Navy/Air Force from 1946 – 1949.

Following his discharge, Jim was hired by Mahaska County as a dragline operator. He later went to work for John Morrell in Ottumwa. He retired from Morrell as the Vice-President and Loan Chairman of the Morrell Credit Union.

While at Morrell, he sang for eleven years with the Morrell Chorus, a group which traveled Iowa, Missouri, and South Dakota and also had the honor of performing at the Conrad Hilton and Palmer House in Chicago.

Jim served as the manager of the Elks Club in Oskaloosa for over 15 years and served as president of the Shady Lodge Council. He also served as a volunteer at the V.A. Hospital in Knoxville for 15 years.

Jim went to work for Musco Sports Lighting in 1988; his official title was the Kid’s Van Driver, and he was affectionately known as Grandpa Driver. In addition to his driving responsibilities, he assisted in the human resource department picking up and delivering the mail and helping in any way he could. He retired from Musco in 2007 but stayed connected to his friends in the company by attending social functions and exchanging cards.

Jim loved baseball, and his team favorites were the Chicago Cubs and the NY Yankees. He was a big fan of Little League and was a member of the Major League Baseball Club. Jim was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the American Legion, and the V.F.W.

He is survived by his sister, Maggie Mitrisin of Oskaloosa; many nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to his mother, Jim was preceded in death by his brothers: Bill, George and John Mitrisin; sisters and brothers-in-law: Joyce & Vince Putnam and Kate & Howard Hudson; a niece, Sandra Kenny; a nephew, Monte Sutak; and a great-nephew, Jamie Kaveny.

As was his wish, Jim’s body has been cremated.
Graveside memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday afternoon at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Oskaloosa with Reverend Father John Spiegel officiating.
A procession will leave for the cemetery at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Friends and family may gather at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel at 1:30 p.m.   Military Honors will be presented by the Oskaloosa Honor Guard. Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the family and will be designated at a later time.