Mills, Walter M.

Walter M. Mills
April 22, 1912-Feb. 16, 2007

Walter M. Mills, 94, of Blaine Avenue,  South Bend, formerly of Michigan City, IN, and Niles, died following a brief illness at 4:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16,  2007, in Regency Place Health Care & Rehabilitation Center, South Bend.

He was born on April 22, 1912, in Niles, to Willis and Cora Ruth (Rice) Mills, and had lived in this area all of his life. He was employed by the New York Central Railroad, retiring in 1964. He was also employed in security by The Pinkerton Agency and by Uniroyal.

He was a member of the Salvation Army in both Niles and Michigan City, and had volunteered as head of the Salvation Army Food Pantry in Michigan City. He enjoyed woodworking and traveling throughout the United States and Canada.

On June 2, 1939, in Niles, he married the former Anna M. Britton, who preceded him in death on June 4, 1991. He was also preceded in death by a son, David Mills, and by three brothers.

Surviving family includes his children, Walter (Ruth Ann) Mills Jr. of Johnson City, TN, Phillip Mills of Crowley, LA, Ruth Ann (Alejandro) Rodriguez of Niles, Robert (Mary) Mills of Berrien Springs, Rose (Clarence) Blakley of South Bend, Arthur (Melody) Mills of Zeeland, MI, and Salvation Army Major Michael (Major Judy) Mills of Milwaukee, WI; 22 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service for Walter M. Mills will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Pastor Jeffrey L. Whittaker of Michiana Christian Embassy officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Mills may be made to the Salvation Army.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown