David Lee Mills

David L. Mills, 87, North Manchester, passed away December 9, 2023, at Timbercrest Healthcare Center in North Manchester. The son of a farmer, David was born in Williamsport, Indiana, on January 1, 1936, to Robert Wayne and Mildred (McCain) Mills.

When Dave was younger, he helped support his parents, three sisters, and two brothers by taking jobs to earn money for necessities. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1954 and worked for the Army Security Agency for three years. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Dave married the love of his life, Joyce Brown, who he knew from high school, on February 1, 1958, in Michigan. The couple built a beautiful life together for the next nearly sixty-six years and were blessed with two children, Maribeth and Andy. While the children were growing up, the family enjoyed camping and water skiing. Dave also enjoyed officiating basketball and football games for several years. He held a private pilot’s license and owned and flew small planes.

Dave attended the International Business School in Fort Wayne, where he graduated in 1961 with a degree in accounting. He worked for General Motors in Muncie and later began working at General Tire in Wabash before moving to Oklahoma to help open a new plant. Six years later Dave returned to the Wabash plant, where he spent the remainder of his career. Additionally, Dave served as a lay pastor for two small churches for seven years. He and Joyce were active in a United Methodist program called NOMADS (Nomads on a Mission Active in Divine Service) for fifteen years, in which they spent three weeks at a time at various locations taking on projects like building and repairing churches, church camps, and retirement homes. They also helped assemble kits in Illinois for others in need of personal supplies and cleaning materials following natural disasters. Dave was a member of North Manchester United Methodist Church.

The loving memory of David Mills will be forever cherished by his wife, Joyce Mills, North Manchester; son, Andrew (William Shepherd) Mills, Camden, South Carolina; daughter, Maribeth Callicoat, North Manchester; brother, Jon Michael “Mick” Mills, Phoenix, Arizona; sisters, Virginia Thorrington, Kokomo, Indiana and Debra (Bob) Paulson, Coon Rapids, Minnesota; grandchildren, Amanda (Jeremy) Johnson, North Manchester and Amy (Gary) Johnson, North Manchester; and great-grandchildren, Kaylin, Jace, Oslo, and Winnie Johnson. Dave was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Mills; and sister, Maribeth.

Family and friends may call Saturday, December 30, 2023 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the North Manchester United Methodist Church, 306 East 2nd Street, North Manchester. Funeral services will begin at the conclusion of calling with Pastor Steve Bahrt and Cathie Markstahler. Burial will be held at Rochester IOOF Cemetery at a later date.

For those who wish to honor the memory of David Mills, memorial contributions may be made to Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 501, North Manchester, Indiana 46962 or the North Manchester United Methodist Church, 306 East 2nd Street, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.

The family of David Mills has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.