Herbert Mills

If there is one word to describe Herbert E. Mills it would be dedicated; he was dedicated to his country, his employer, the various clubs and organizations of which he was a member, and his family and friends which he held so dear. Herb was a remarkable man who lived life to its fullest and continuously brightened the lives of those around him.

The decade of the 1920’s was a difficult period in our nation’s history as this was a time of prohibition and intolerance, gangsters and crime. Ivan and Verna (Robison) Mills of Liberty Center, Iowa were able to focus on an exciting time in their lives, however, as Verna was due to give birth to their second child at any time. They were indeed blessed with an early Valentine’s Day present in the form of their son, born on February 13, 1923 whom they named Herbert. Herb and his older sister Muriel spent their early days in Liberty Center, located in the southern part of the state, until their family moved to western Michigan, in 1936. Here, Herb was a high school student at the Academy, located on the campus of Andrews University. He formed significant friendships with various people that would continue throughout his entire lifetime as that same core group of friends still gathered every fall at Ely Lake in Allegan County, Michigan. Herb’s high school education was interrupted so that he could valiantly serve his country in the Army during WWII, during which time his orders took him to New Guinea in the South Pacific. While on leave before being shipped overseas, Herb's life would take a pleasant turn of events, he married a delightful woman named Nancy Lee Colvin on February 21, 1943. Upon being discharged from the Army, tragedy struck in Herb’s life as his mother died a short time later. Herb and Nancy were blessed with the births of seven children: John, Rebecca, Kaye, Herbert, Bonnie, Penny, and Tammy. When Herb rejoined civilian life he had several jobs for a short time, but in 1945 he became employed at James River, where he would spend the remainder of his working days until he eventually retired after 43 years.

Herb was a devoted family man who provided his children with many opportunities and memories that they would forever cherish. Herb had never learned how to swim, but made sure that his children had a different fate; he made sure that they all had swimming lessons and were competent swimmers. Some of the most remembered family moments were the times they piled all seven children into the station wagon to head on vacation. The road trip that made the biggest impact was when they had nine people in their station wagon and were headed out to their oldest son John’s wedding. As it turns out, it would be fortunate that they had so many bodies in one car since the heat wasn’t working and it was 25 degrees below zero out! Needless to say, their luggage that was stored on top of the car for the duration of the trip was just a bit chilly when they arrived! Despite these rather unfortunate conditions, the entire family looks back on this memory fondly, and they remember it as only a fun adventure. The Mills family also camped quite often, traveling to many of the beautiful places that Michigan has to offer.

There were many groups, organizations, passions, and hobbies that Herb also made priorities. He was a member of the Local 323 of the Papermakers, where he even served as their financial secretary for 30 years. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the Crippled Angels, and was known as “Cold Duck,” in the circles of the CB club of which he was also a member. He was a lifetime member of the Fidelity Masonic Lodge 513, as well as the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Herb had a passion for tools and always insisted that he have his own, never borrowing them, but was also generous enough to loan his out to those in need. He and his wife Nancy became “snowbirds” in the winter when they left the cold and snowy weather of Michigan behind and enjoyed the sunny skies of Orlando, Florida over a period of 15 years. Education was important to Herb and he went back to school and obtained his high school diploma through the Plainwell Adult Education program. He enjoyed boating despite his inability to swim, and wasn’t afraid to do some of the cooking, often creating one of his simple and infamous “one pot wonders” which he created since he claimed, “ it all ended up in the same place anyway!” Herb was a dog-lover who always had a dog or two, or sometimes three. He collected clocks and when his collection was at its peak, he had over 50!

Herbert E. Mills was a quiet and shy person at first glance, but upon spending time with him, his generous and compassionate qualities were easy to see. He was physically strong in stature, but was a giant teddy bear of a man inside. He was a beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be warmly remembered by all those he leaves behind.

Herbert E. Mills died on Wednesday, November 25, 2008. Herb’s family includes his wife, Nancy, their seven children: John (Patty) Mills, Rebecca (Robert) Dykema, Kaye (Mike) Herbert, Herbert (Belva) Mills, Bonnie (James) Hoffman, Penny (David) Dapser, Tammy (James) Klemens. Also surviving are a sister, Muriel Allred Tomblinson of TX, and a brother, Donald Mills of NC; 16 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and some nieces and nephews. Visit with Herb’s family and friends Friday, November 28 at 1:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel, 120 S. Woodhams. A memorial service will be held on Friday at the funeral home at 2:00 p.m. Please visit Herb’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation to the Life Care Center or In House Hospice.