Stephen died peacefully in his sleep on Friday night June 12, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
He was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey in 1955 to John Russell Mitcheltree, Jr. and Helen Banzhaf Mitcheltree.
Stephen moved with his family to Edina-Morningside, Minnesota in 1959 and attended public schools. He played cello and guitar as a youngster. In 1969 Stephen moved with his family to Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from East High School. He received his Associates’ Degree in General Studies from Salt Lake Community College in 1994. Stephen worked as a laboratory aide at the University of Utah School of Medicine for Dr. Marcus Jacobson. He also worked as a laboratory aide at the Moran Eye Center Research Department. Stephen was a mental health client under psychiatric care with brain-disease Schizophrenia since his first hospitalization in 1974.
Stephen played cello for the Wasatch Community Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Kenneth Kuchler. He played cello for concerts with the Utah Choral Arts Society and with the West Valley Symphony. He performed with The Thursday Singers, a volunteer music group under the direction of his mother, Mrs. Helen Mitcheltree. He played cello with occasional performances of L.D.S. ward orchestras and with his friends, Mrs. Oletta Cummings, Mr. Ron Archibald and Mr. Eric Kartchner. He played jazz guitar concerts with his friend, Mr. Jim Fugit. Stephen enjoyed sports including skiing and golfing.
He is survived by his sister, Anne Mitcheltree of New York City and by his cousin Mrs. Judith Banzhaf Kruse of Millersville, Pennsylvania. He is survived by eight first-cousins-twice-removed. He is preceded in death by his parents and by his cousin, Michael Allen Banzhaf of Newport Beach, California. Stephen’s body will be cremated and a gravestone marker placed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Salt Lake City, Utah in Section D. A memorial service will be held at Midtown Manor: 125 South 900 West SLC, UT 84104.(801-363-6340).
Stephen’s friends and family are scattered throughout the nation. We cannot join together for a ceremony. Please remember Stephen personally and collectively in your own church ritual as it feels appropriate for you. Please share this letter with anyone who would want to remember Stephen. Thank you for the decades of love and friendship blessing him with smiles, laughter and peace.
