Raymond R. Mitchem, 79, of Chamois, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at his residence surrounded by his family.
He was born on Dec. 20, 1946, to the late Archie Raymond and Laura Mae (Branson) Mitchem in Chamois.
He attended Osage County R-1 School in Chamois.
Raymond proudly served his country in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict.
He was united in marriage to Joan Sieg on Nov. 16, 1968, at First Baptist Church in Chamois.
Raymond owned and operated the R & J Tavern in Chamois from 1986 until 1994. He was employed at ABB in Jefferson City as a welder for 37 years until his retirement in 2009.
He was of the Christian faith and was a member of the Chamois American Legion Post 506 and was a former volunteer firefighter with the Chamois Fire Department.
Raymond was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed cooking, being outdoors, joking around and aggravating people. If he didn’t like you then he wouldn’t pick on you. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Raymond was preceded in death by parents, Archie and Laura; son, Mark Raymond Mitchem; brothers, Andrew and John Mitchem; and father-in-law, Stanley Sieg.
He is survived by wife, Joan of 57 years; children, Kenneth Mitchem and wife Samantha and Lisa Branson and husband Scott, both of Chamois, and James “Jim” Mitchem and wife Amy of Jefferson City; grandchildren, Zackery Branson and wife Carolanne, Jacob Branson and wife Maddie, Seth Mitchem and wife Abby, Julissa Mitchem and partner Bradley Roddy and Kendall, Faith, Mark and Quinn Mitchem; great-grandson, Callum Branson; brothers, Ed Mitchem and wife Carmen, Delmar Mitchem and wife Rhonda and Bob Mitchem, all of Chamois, and Homer Mitchem of Linn; sister, Elsie Weed and husband John of Chamois; sisters-in-law, Diane Mitchem and Mary Jane Mitchem, both of Chamois; mother-in-law, Ruby Sieg of Westphalia; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services were held on Monday, June 29, at Morton Chapel in Chamois, with Jeremiah Abell officiating. Private interment with Full Military Honors was in the South Cemetery near Chamois.
Memorial contributions suggested to the American Legion Post #506 in Chamois or to South Cemetery near Chamois.
Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Chamois.
