Joseph Grant Mitchell Jr., 68, of Northfield, IL passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 1, 2026. He was born in Paducah, KY on July 8, 1958. He is survived by his brother , Michael L. (Leslie) Mitchell of Terre Haute, IN, and his two nephews, Dalton (Ashton) Mitchell of Terre Haute and Eric (Meghann) Manwaring of Bloomington, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Betty, nee Morten, Mitchell.

Grant was an Eagle Scout, a graduate of Oakton Community College, and spent his entire career in service to the public as a firefighter and paramedic. He retired from The Northfield Fire Department as a Captain after 42 years of service, and from The Palatine Fire Department where he served 27 years. Not one to sit idle, Grant began working for the Nationwide Organ Recovery Transport Alliance (NORA) where he transported lifesaving organs for transplant patients until, ironically, Grant lost his own battle with kidney and heart failure. Grant was a "Gentle Giant" with an infectious smile, kind heart, and a savant like ability to recall facts and events of all kinds.He will be sorely missed by his loving family, his enormous circle of friends, and by his firefighter/paramedic "Brothers".

Visitation will be on Saturday, August 15th, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at Simkins Funeral Home 6251 Dempster St. Morton Grove, IL 60053. Interment will be on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Brook Hill Memorial Garden Cemetery in Paducah, KY. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Tunnel To Towers Foundation 2361 Hylan Blvd. Staten Island, NY 10306 appreciated. For further information, Simkins Funeral Home (847) 965-2500