Mitch was born on August 2, 1965, in Cedar City, Utah, to Frank O’Neill Berrett and Jeanette Flanigan Berrett Jones. He courageously suffered ill health for several years and, after being cared for in hospice for one month at Cedar Health and Rehabilitation, he passed away on Oct. 9, 2024.
Mitch was raised in a close family who remained life-long friends. He loved growing up on Kayenta Circle where there were plenty of friends for kick-the-can and riding bikes. He loved the many years our family spent at Strawberry Point on Cedar Mountain with the Flanigans, working hard to get wood, enjoying Uncle Wally’s Dutch oven dinners, and laughing around campfires.
His nephews and nieces loved their smart, funny Unc Mitch. He loved music and was a Madrigal singer in school. Later, in his beautiful baritone voice, he would improvise a quick, funny song for every occasion. He gave thoughtful, trendy gifts and sincere praise and affection. His calm manner and sense of humor was reassuring, including on rainy camping trips. He was so loved.
Mitch earned his CNA and worked in hospitals and facilities in Las Vegas, Salt Lake, and Lincoln, Nebraska. After years away, Mitch returned to St. George to live near family again. He cared for patients and residents at Coral Desert Rehabilitation and Spring Gardens Assisted Living for many years. He loved his work as a CNA, loved his co-workers, and his patients and took great care to protect their dignity and feelings. He came in on days off to sit with lonely or critically ill patients and considered it an honor to comfort many as they passed.
Mitch also worked in group homes for mentally and physically disabled adults. He treated each with love and respect, used his own time and money to enrich their lives, and delighted in taking them on outings. Mitch received the “2004 Tracy Award,” presented to him by Rise, Inc., a non-profit organization for people with disabilities, at that organization’s annual conference in Salt Lake City.
Wherever he worked, Mitch found a way to relate to each person and had a knack for discovering common interests and acquaintances. After many years, people still express to Mitch’s family their love for Mitch and gratitude for his exceptional kindness and skillful care of their loved ones. Mitch’s family, patients, co-workers, and even strangers all found a helpful, kind, strong, witty friend in Mitch.
Mitch was adventurous and at ease in most situations, whether sitting at a dinner table with Warren Buffet or posing for pictures with then President George Bush, Sr. At age 17, Mitch traveled alone from Cedar City to Manhattan to spend time with his sister. With his family, he traveled from Canada to Mexico and on his own from Key West to Sturgis to the Indianapolis 500 and to many other places. He loved gourmet food and live theater, was formidable at Jeopardy, loved the beach, fishing with his dad, camping with his faithful dog, Ki, and hiking in Zion every Easter.
Mitch was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He loved watching Conference with family and those in his care and singing hymns and Primary songs with them. He was comforted and strengthened by his faith, including in his final days when he requested blessings and shared prayers daily with his mother.
Mitch was preceded in death by his father, Frank O’Neill Berrett, and his grandparents. He is survived by his loving mother and friend, Jeanette Flanigan Berrett Jones; stepfather, Gary Jones; sisters, Tori Berrett Wangsgard and Leslee Berrett Smith; niece, Kristen Wangsgard Lind (Corbin); nephews, Jordan Wangsgard (Leslie), Trevor Smith, and Chase Smith; great nephew and nieces and a new great nephew on his way. It is with heavy but grateful hearts that we celebrate Mitch’s life. We take comfort in our faith and Mitch’s and look forward to reuniting joyfully with Mitch.
Services for Mitch will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024. A viewing will be held from 12:00-1:00 pm followed by his funeral at 1:00 pm at Cedar Valley Mortuary, 2086 N. Main St., Cedar City, Utah. Internment and Dedication will be at the Cedar City Cemetery, under the direction of Cedar Valley Mortuary.
