Elin Ann Arnold-Mitchell

Elin Ann Arnold-Mitchell, 78, of Tonica, passed away on May 30, 2025 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria with her loving husband by her side.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday June 6, 2025, at Tonica United Methodist Church with Pastor Phil Jackson and Pastor Neal King of Mighty Word Church officiating. Visitation will be Thursday June 5, 2025,  from 4 to 7:00 PM at the Hurst Funeral Home in Tonica and 10:00 AM Friday in the church. Cremation will follow funeral services and a celebration of life will be held at the Cora J. Pope Home in Ottawa at a later date.

Elin was born in Streator, Illinois, on March 19, 1947 to parents Raymond and Marjorie Richardson. On July 4, 1980, she married Clifford Roy Arnold, who preceded her in death on May 1, 2013.  She then married Lawrence (Larry) Calvin Mitchell on August 1, 2015.

Elin was a 1965 graduate of Streator High School and later attended The University of Illinois where she earned a master’s degree in Education in 1970. Following her educational career, Elin found great success as a writer and publisher, owning such publications as The Tonica News, Bureau County Republican, Putnam County Record and Spring Valley Gazette. Following her retirement from the publication industry, Elin worked as an administrative assistant for Mighty Word Church as well as the Ottawa Veterinary Hospital. Continuing her passion for the community, Elin also became a driving force in the development and opening of The Cora J. Pope Home Bed and Breakfast in Ottawa. 

Elin deeply valued her community, as evidenced by her service to the LaSalle-Peru Township High School Board as well as her work on various community development projects with Rotary, La Salle Business Association, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce. 

Elin is survived by her devoted husband, Larry of Tonica, and five beloved sons from her unions with Clifford, her late husband, and Larry: Shannon (Julie) Arnold, Matthew Arnold, Patrick (Julia) Arnold, Lawrence Edward (Virginia) Mitchell, and Johnathon Calvin Mitchell. She also leaves behind six cherished grandchildren; two brothers, Ray Richardson and Larry Scott Richardson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, in-laws, and many treasured friends and relationships formed throughout her richly diverse and meaningful life.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents and grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be used for a fund that will be established at a later date.

Pallbearers will be Shannon, Matthew, and Patrick Arnold; Ray Richardson III; Rob Mitchell; and Arty Foltynewicz.

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