Gene was born to Chauncey Mitchell and Orpha Smith Mitchell, on December 28, 1922, at Atlanta, Nebraska, attending school in Holdrege, Nebraska. Following high school graduation, he came to Ogallala, to work in construction at Kingsley Dam. In October 1942, Gene joined the United States Marine Corps. Gene married Mary Elizabeth Sibal, in San Marino, California, on November 20, 1942.

While serving in the Marine Corps as an artillery forward observer, he participated in seventeen assault landings in World War II with the Fourth Marine Division in the South Pacific, seeing action on the islands of Kwajelein, Roi, Namur, Saipan and Tinian, among others.

Following the war, Gene returned to Ogallala, to work in the Sibal Insurance agency. He purchased the agency in 1950, expanded it, and operated it until he sold it in May, 1988. In the 1960s, he purchased a farm, growing dry land wheat and raising red angus cattle. Although he enjoyed his insurance business, the farm was his passion.

Giving back to his community was very important to Gene. He served for four years on the Nebraska Crime Commission, four years on the First Methodist Church Board, twelve years on the Keith County Fair Board, three years on the Keith County Zoning Board, and six years as a leader of Boots and Saddles 4-H Riding Club. In addition, he served seventeen years on the Ogallala Public School board, serving as President at the time the present high school was built, and establishing special education programs in the public school system.

In 1966, Gene was appointed by Gov. Frank Morrison to establish Educational Service Unit #16. He was instrumental in getting all the surrounding counties to join in the E.S.U concept, and in establishing several special education programs and sheltered workshops for special needs children. He served 25 years as President of the Administrative Board, and the last year of his service as Vice-President.

Gene is survived by his wife Mary Elizabeth (Liz), a daughter Joan Thornock and her husband Roy, a son Gene Mitchell, Jr. (Mitch), a granddaughter Kimberley Olson and her husband Christopher, a grandson Matthew Thornock, and several nephews and nieces. Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, was a son Mark at the age of 10, a brother Jack, and sisters Mary Anderson and Josephine Creech.

Services will be Thursday, July 19, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Methodist Church. Viewing will be Wednesday, July 18, from 9-6, at the Gubser Funeral Home. A memorial will be established with Educational Service Unit #16.