Cory Benz, left, owner of Titus Funeral Home, and Sarah Knisley, Laurel Jean Mitchell’s sister unveil a memorial bench in her honor at the North Webster Mermaid Festival Grounds. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Over 50 people turned out on a cold, windy Saturday morning, April 26, for the unveiling of a memorial bench in honor of Laurel Jean Mitchell. The bench, which was donated by Titus Funeral Home, was placed in front of the restrooms at the Mermaid Festival Grounds in North Webster. Sue’s Creations donated a floral wreath for the unveiling.

The bench is placed in front of the restrooms at the Mermaid Festival Grounds because it was Mitchell’s father’s idea to have restrooms there. Polly Mock, a friend of the family, said she worked on the bench project for two years. “I just thought it would be nice to have to keep her memory alive so she’s never forgotten,” she said.

Cory Benz, owner of Titus Funeral Home, told the crowd, “As a member of the community, we know you feel the loss of Laurel Jean very deeply.” He said the bench was donated in remembrance so those who sat on it had an opportunity to rest, to feel the breeze and to reflect.

Bill McDonald, who was one of the people who came forward identifying Mitchell’s killers, spoke about meeting Mitchell. “What a blessing it was for me to meet Laurel,” he said. He first met her at a Wawasee v. Noble High School basketball game where Mitchell invited McDonald and his friends to sit with her girlfriends. Two weeks later he ran into her at the Augsburger grocery store. “Those were the two times I met her. What a blessing,” he said.

Bill McDonald, who went to police to report Bandy and Lehman confessed to Laurel Jean Mitchell’s murder to him, reads a poem at the unveiling. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

He also told of how on Feb. 6 he went to her gravesite late in the day to lay a rose. He said many had been there before him leaving mementos. He ended by reciting a poem his brother, Michael, wrote titled “Laurel Jean.”

“Still after all these years, you’re in our hearts to stay… and you will always be, till our dying day… You were big sister, little sister and daughter too… Born in the middle of three… You were number two… An obedient daughter, always trusted and on time…Living a life of joy, full of reason and rhyme… And social life you ask? Laurel was a floating butterfly… Gleaning the most of her friendships and all her family ties… Laurel knew the savior and built her life around him… Giving him the glory, through all the gospel hymns. Thinking of what could have been, we bow down and weep… Taken from us at an early age, we miss you Laurel Jean… So we thank the Lord, for your life, albeit way too short… and hope to see you again one day, up in heaven’s court.”

Mock was the last speaker saying to members of the Mitchell family, “There are not enough words to express our heartfelt condolences to all those who were affected by this senseless horrific tragedy almost 50 years ago. Today we get to have Laurel Jean’s memory and name live on and never be forgotten. As a community I hope we have supported you, stood by you and through our prayers comforted you.”

Mock thanked those who came out and to Titus Funeral Home for its generosity and “to the Lions Club for letting the community put this memorial bench in the perfect place.”

After the speakers, Benz and Sarah Knisley, Mitchell’s younger sister, unveiled the bench. Afterwards, Mock said she hadn’t seen the bench previously. “It’s beautiful” she said.

Sarah Knisley, Laurel Jean Mitchell’s younger sister, poses with the memorial bench. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

Benz said several prominent members of the North Webster community approached him about a lasting memorial to Mitchell besides her gravestone. He noted this was a national story, a cold case for over 40 years that was solved.

“I am so impressed with how beautiful the bench is,” said Sue Ann Mitchell. She married Mitchell’s father after her parents divorced in 1980. Both of Mitchell’s parents died in 2012. Mitchell said she hoped people talk about it, appreciate who they have in their lives and realize even in small towns crazy things can happen.

Knisley wanted to thank everyone in the community who have shown their support to the family through the years.

Mitchell was murdered in 1975 and the investigation into her murder turned into a cold case until Fred Bandy Jr. of Goshen and John W. Lehman of Auburn were arrested in 2023. Lehman pled guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and received an 8-year sentence in a plea deal. Bandy was found guilty of murder and received a life sentence in 2024.

A close up of the memorial bench for Laurel Jean Mitchell. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.