FARMINGTON — Alden W. Mitchell, 87, passed away on June 12, after a long battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma , plus a few other ailments.

He was born in Newton, Kan., the son of the late Frank H. and Helen D. Mitchell. At the age of two they moved to Plymouth, Mass., where he graduated from Plymouth High School, in the class of 1940. After a year in prep school he entered Gorham Normal School (now the University of Southern Maine) taking courses to become an industrial arts teacher.

On November 11, 1942, he enrolled in the enlisted reserves and finally went into the Army Air Force. During World War II he was a member of the Army Air Forces. After further training, he was a top gunner of a B-29 Superfortress of the 20th Air Force, where he completed 32 combat missions. He was awarded a distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal with four leaf clusters, a Purple Heart, and an Asiatic Pacific medal with seven campaign stars. He served in India and China and finished his missions from the Island of Tinian in the South Pacific. After his discharge in October 1945, he returned to college, where he graduated in June 1947.

On June 18, 1946 he married Marion Hall four days after she graduated in June of 1946. His first teaching position was in Bridgton, where he taught for five years. In 1952 he moved to Farmington and taught at F.H.S. and later at Mt. Blue High School, retiring in June of 1979. While at Farmington High School, he started the first driver training class in Farmington and taught for five years.

He was a member of the Old South Congregational Church, serving on many committees, as well as being a deacon. In 1979 he made a mahogany communion table for the church. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 28, where he enjoyed substituting with the color guard and in later years marching in all the parades wearing his uniform. At age 44 he learned how to ski at Titcomb Mountain and later became a member of the National Ski Patrol there.

After his retirement, his favorite hobby was metal detecting. He enjoyed finding school rings and then finding their owners. In Florida he was a member of the Central Florida Metal Detecting Club and enjoyed the special hunts. At their monthly meetings he took many first-place prizes for items found.

He leaves his wife, Marian, of nearly 64 years; a son Stephen and his wife, Doris, of Phillips; a daughter, Marcia, of Hinsdale, Mass.; a daughter-in-law, Sandra Kay Mitchell, of Auburn; grandson, Michael; granddaughter, Michelle; grandson, John (J.P.); and two great-grandchildren, Kamryn and Alison.

He was predeceased by a son, John Sr.; brothers, Harley and Guy; and a cousin, Virginia.