In Lovin Memory of
Paratrooper Mitchell Rech

Mitchell Eugene Rech, 88, died Jan. 23, 2010, at St. Lucie Medical Center in Port St. Lucie. He was born in Marion, Ohio, and lived in Port St. Lucie for 45 years, coming from his birthplace. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving with the 82nd Airborne. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, past president of the 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment Association, vice president of the Space Coast All Airborne Chapter, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

Survivors include his daughters, Loralee Chastain of Vero Beach and Christine Eisenstein of Colombus, Ohio; son, Mitchell Jesse Rech of Port St. Lucie; sister, Donna Keeler of Hilton Head, S.C.; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Marguerite; daughter, Melissa; and grandson, Jay Croft. Memorial contributions may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 S.E. Indian St., Stuart, FL 34997. services: A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are by All County Funeral Home and Crematory Treasure Coast Chapel in Stuart.

Enlisted in the US Army on June 2, 1942, and received basic training at Camp Croft, South Carolina. After completing training, he was shipped to Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon being awarded his wings, Rech was sent to For Bragg to become a member of the 1st Platoon, A Company, 504 PIR.

On April 10, 1943, Rech married his hometown sweetheart, Marguerite Brunson, in Dillon, South Carolina. After a tour of North Africa, Sicily, Italy, England, Holland, Belgium, and Germany, he was sent home and discharged from serviced in September 1945.
He and his wife of 54 years have four children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Rech is still working daily, being self-employed and doing architectural design in southeastern Florida. He is a charter, lifetime member, and the Vice-chairman of the Space Coast All Airborne Chapter, 82nd Airborne Division Association.