Mitchell Evan Bedwell

Mitchell Evan Bedwell, 52, passed away February 11, 2016 at his home in Centralia, WA. He was born June 25, 1963 to Robert E. Bedwell and Eileen M. (Dennison) Stewart in Lakewood, CA. A 23-year resident of Yelm, WA, he also lived in the Washington cities of Olympia (2 years), Rainier (1 year), and Lacey (2 years); and in Riverside and Orange Counties, CA. Mitch graduated from Villa Park High School in 1981. He was in band at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA and at Riverside Community College. After moving to Washington in 1988, he attended the Fire Training Academy and Medic One classes to earn certification as a fire fighter, EMT, fire investigator, wildland firefighter, and teacher of CPR and first aid. He became a fireman, working with Olympia District #7 in 1991 for a year, and transferring to Yelm District #2 for almost 10 years. He was a member of the Yelm Fire Dept. Association. Mitch also began work in 1988 as a master engraver for and then purchased Engravers Plus. He had many other retail jobs throughout his life, including working at SaveOn Drugs, Payless Drugs, Yard Birds, Surgard Storage in Lacey and Olympia (manager), and Farrells Ice Cream. Mitch married Chelly-Lynn McBride on September 30, 1988 at the Thurston County Courthouse in Olympia. He had been a member of Yelm First Baptist Church, Yelm Crossroads Community Covenant Church, and was recently attending Yelm Ignite Church. He was a previous member of the Yelm Moose. Everyone who knew Mitch, knew him as an outgoing, goofy guy, who was always joking around, and spending time with family and friends. He loved fishing, gardening, machine embroidery, dressing as Santa for various organizations, wearing crazy hats to dialysis to cheer other patients, playing board games or poker with his kids, playing with his animals (dogs, cats, bunny, macaw bird). Before his health got too bad, he volunteered at the kids’ elementary school, going on all the field trips. Mitch is survived by his wife, Chelly-Lynn (McBride) Bedwall of Centralia; sons, Kristopher Alexander Mitchell Bedwell (age 21) of Centralia, and Mitchell Alvin Evan Bedwell (age 28) of Yucipa, CA; daughters, Stephanie Alexsandra Nellie Bedwell (age 23) of Centralia, and Brianna Amanda Lynn Bedwell (age 20) of Centralia; his twin brother, Michael Eugene Bedwell of Lake Elsinore, CA; sister, Theresa M. (Bedwell) Holliday of Las Vegas, NV; and half-brother, Tim Stewart of Kentucky. He was predeceased by his father, Robert E. Bedwell of Nevada; mother, Eileen M. Stewart of Kentucky; and uncle, Ronald Wayne Bedwell of Anaheim Hills, CA. Donations may be made to the Mitch Bedwell Memorial Fund (#112322-10) at Twin Star Credit Union. Please leave memories of Mitch or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.