Melvin Mills

Melvin Charles Mills, 94, of Cherokee Village, AR, died Sunday, January 02, 2011 at Carriage Hill Retirement Community, Bedford, VA. Born Saturday, September 23, 1916 in Oakland, Iowa, he was a son of the late Laurence Mills and Gleeora Mills.   He was retired from Centel Telephone Company in Pekin, Illinois where he was District Superintendent. Melvin received many outstanding citizen awards while serving on the Chamber of Commerce in Pekin. He was a devout United Methodist Church member in both Pekin and Cherokee village where he served on many boards. He was a dedicated usher every Sunday morning at the early service at Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, IL and then in Cherokee Village United Methodist Church in Cherokee Village, AR. He was also a long time member of the Lion's International Club where he held several positions in local clubs as well as served as District Governor of Northern Arkansas and several years on the board of the International Lions School for the Blind.   He and his family worked every Christmas in Pekin delivering food and toys to families in need and helped collect money on White Cane Day for the Lions Club International.In addition to his parents, Melvin was preceded in death by his wife Flo Kathryn, one son Larry Mills, two brothers, and two sisters.

 Melvin is survived by two sons: Edward Mills and wife Jane of Batavia, Ohio; Stephen Mills and wife Julie of Vienna, VA; one daughter Jean Mills of Chantilly, Virginia; three grandsons Geoff Mills and wife Amy of Peoria, Illinois and two great-grandsons Nathan Mills and Caden Mills of Peoria, Illinois; Jared Mills of Pine Cliff, Colorado; Josh Mills and wife Keri of Centennial, Colorado; one daughter-in-Law Margaret \"Maggie\" Mills of Bedford, Virginia. His family and friends feel blessed to have had this gentle, kind, patient and generous man in their life. He touched everyone with his humor and wit. He was one of those God touched with a quiet spirit that blessed all who met him. He will be sorely missed.

 

Memorial contributions may be made to, Lions World Services for the Blind, 2811 Fair Park Blvd., Little Rock, Arkansas 72204.  

 

A celebration of Melvin's life will be conducted at a later date at Cherokee Village United Methodist Church in Cherokee Village, Arkansas with the Rev. Jimmy Anderson officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church Columbarium. Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory; Bedford will be assisting the family (540) 586-3443. To send condolences, please visit www.obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.