Geraldine "Jerry" Penman Mitchell

Geraldine “Jerry” Penman Mitchell, 97, of Terre Haute passed away Monday afternoon, October 4, 2021.  She was born April 4, 1924 in Brazil, IN, on the kitchen floor, to John Francis Penman and Anna Ferrell Penman.

Survivors include her niece, Amelia Ann Long Hutcheson (Gerald – deceased) and nephews, John Lewis Long (Patsy- deceased) and Richard Wayne Smith Dunkin (Terri). She was preceded in death by her parents; husband David C. Mitchell; older sister, Bertha Isabel Penman Long; and younger sister, Coral Elaine Penman Smith Dunkin.

Jerry graduated from Brazil High School in 1942, where she was president of the Ciceronian History Club, member of the Ravon Drama Club, Latin Club, Junior Class Yell Leader, Campfire Girls, and the National Honor Society.  She had the lead in the Junior and Senior class plays and had worked on all plays beginning in her sophomore year.

Jerry entered Indiana State Teachers College (I.S.U.) in the fall of 1942.  While at I.S.U. she was the laboratory assistant to William P. Allen (Head of the Science Department) replacing William Hopp who was a television personality at the time.  She was in Alpha Sorority.  In summer and part-time, Jerry was a micro analyst for Standard Brands and St. Anthony Hospital under the direction of Professor Allen.  She graduated from I.S.U. in 1946 and took a position of teaching chemistry, biology, and physics at Newman Township High School in Newman, IL for two years.

At I.S.U. Jerry met David Carroll Mitchell, now deceased, who had returned from U.S. Military service.  After one semester he entered Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology where he graduated.  They were engaged and married in 1948.

The couple then moved to Detroit, Michigan where David was employed by Detroit Edison.  At that time, Detroit Edison was an outstanding public service power company.  The couple took part in programs sponsored by the company.  David and Jerry learned square dancing and how to play bridge.

In 1951 David was asked to serve as an electrical engineer for the engine of the first atomic submarine at Bettis Field in Pittsburgh, PA.  Jerry was a Brownie Troop Leader and Leader of the Red Wing Brownie Camp for one summer.  She was elected as a Board Member of the Young Republicans of Allegany County to help elect Dwight Eisenhower.  David and Jerry were instrumental in creating a theater group made up of young engineers from all over the country at the Pittsburgh site of the Nautilus Planning Group.  The group was called “The Town and Country Players” made up of three boroughs.  Jerry won the prize for the name of the theater group but never received the money because she was the lead in the first play!

In 1953 the couple moved to Bolivia, South America as David was employed by Canadian International Power Company, headquartered in Montreal, Canada.  The couple lived three different times in Bolivia.  Jerry taught at the Calvert School in Lapaz and Angelo American School in Oruro where David was manager of the hydroelectric plant.  Jerry was asked to teach English to professionals at the Technological University.  While in Bolivia she was a member of Domas Diplomaticas, a group of wives of ambassadors and foreign heads of companies.  She belonged to the American Women’s Club and was president of the British Women’s Club where she organized fundraisers and style shows.  She also distributed medicines to the Indian population.

In 1981 the couple moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where David served as Consult to Bolivia and President of Bolivian Power.  They lived there for twenty years.  Jerry belonged to the Kenwood Women’s Club where she was President three times.  The couple attended St. Paul United Methodist Church where Jerry sang in the choir, belonged to a gourmet club, book club, and was President of the Kenwood Garden Club and belonged to many organizations too numerous to list.

In 2001 the Mitchells moved to Terre Haute.  Jerry was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, Swope Art Alliance (Docent five years and editor of the newsletter), Country Club of Terre Haute, Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra League (she reorganized league), I.S.U. Foundation Board Member (three years), Union Hospital League, President of the Woman’s Department Club, Friends of Allen Chapel, 100+ Women Who Care, PEO Sisterhood Chapter K, Arts Illiana, and a book club.

The Mitchells lived in Montreal, Quebec; Salvador, El Salvador where Jerry was president of the American Women’s Club; Barquisimeto, Venezuela; Georgetown Guyana; and Monterrey, Mexico.  They visited all fifty states, Europe; Australia; New Zealand; and China.

IN 2011 the Mitchells moved to Westminster Village where they lived and enjoyed their final days.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM, Sunday, October 10, 2021 in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street, with Mr. John P. Newton officiating.  Burial will be in Highland Lawn Cemetery.  Visitation is scheduled prior to services from 12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM in the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Funeral information is also available at www.callahanandhughes.com .