TAMA- Lavern Jones Mitchell, (Bi sko ni) 72, of Tama, passed away Thursday, April 19, 2012 at Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center. Graveside Services with Military honors will be held Monday, April 23, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa with Donald Wanatee as speaker. A Traditional Wake will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Delores Troxell residence, 160 W. Quail Rd., on the settlement in rural Tama. Lavern was born on January 1, 1940, in Toledo, Iowa, the son of Louis J. and Frances (Sanache) Mitchell. He was a member of the Thunder Clan. He graduated from McKinley High School in St. Louis, MO. Lavern served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Robert Morgan American Legion Post #701 and was dedicated to serving fellow veterans. He participated in the burial of veterans. Lavern was a retired railroad and construction worker. Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters, Sandra J. Mitchell, and Lois F. Mitchell; and one brother, Harold Mitchell. Survivors include his siblings, Delores Troxell of Tama, Roberta Hale of Tama, Miriam (Frank) Wanatee of Montour, Joyce Wolfe of Tama, Marcellus Mitchell of Tama, Yvette Davila of Des Moines, Ardelia Davenport of Tama; one uncle, Aaron (Gayle) Walker of Tama; and many nieces and nephews.