Hello Mills family,  my deepest condolences I am so sorry,  and really,  can’t believe he’s gone. My favorite memories of Mike is picking him up meeting and I remember all the M’s, I will never forget it,  in  the family,  Mr. and Mrs. Mills driving him to and from Saint John’s our favorite snack in the car was Gardetto’s. He went to Wheeling  and I went to BG, bitter rivals at the time but the rivalry quickly faded,  because Mike was so easy to talk to and accommodating. He was always there for me. I remember I met him at an orientation or one of those social mixers we get to know everyone, and it felt good to have someone for my area, with us so far away from home, instant friendship, Instant lifelong friendship.  He taught me to drive in his five-speed brown Datsun stick shift,  on the empty roads of Highway 94 between SJU and CSB, and he was right as he said, it’s a little tricky when you’re on a red light on a hill!  I needed a lot of practice on that move! We fished in the cold October months. My time at St. John’s was short but the memories and friendships I have still today are lifelong and meaningful.  I will never forget Mike and I’m so sorry he passed the way he did. Peace to you.    Love you Mike Swanson

I will always miss you, and wish I could’ve helped you more with your struggles.

Michael, you left to early. I’m devastated. You were always there for me. My heart is forever changed. Thank you for making me a better person. You never doubted me or my decisions in life. I will always miss you and think about you every day. Love, your sister Megan.

My sympathies to all of Mike’s family - he was very proud of each of you and your accomplishments. Remember all the good times you shared with him.  I think the best thing Mike did for me, at least during college, was give me a sense of belonging - something sorely missing during my high school years, and also during the first few months of college.   I met Mike the first day of school since he roomed across the hall, but we weren’t close friends at first. He had found a group of people, mostly from Chicago, that he spent time with. Meanwhile,  I had trouble making friends, and my grades and self-esteem suffered as a result. I resorted to seek professional help at one point. (I even recall hanging out with a classmate on our floor who basically kicked me out of his room one Friday night so he could watch Dallas!)  Perhaps sensing my loneliness, one weekend night Mike invited me to hang out with him and the others in his circle.  We got along well, several friendships were born, and Mike turned the shy, lonely guy across the hall into.....someone less shy (and also the “black sheep” Minnesotan in a group of Chicagoans).   I treasured our friendship over the years even though careers, distance, and kids (in his case) sometimes made it difficult to keep in touch as often as we’d like. I’m also sorry that I wasn’t able to help him very much in his later years, but hopefully he is at peace now and in no pain.

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.  We love you.  We miss you.

I would like to send all of Mike’s family my sincere condolences.  As part of my mourning process, I thought I would write out my own personal eulogy for Mike.  I decided to share it with all of you in hopes that it may aid your grieving process as well.  Mike was my best friend in college.  We connected at a level deeper than words can describe, and we had many, many great times.  Over the years we talked a lot on a wide range of topics, from girls to God.    We would talk about the best and worst music, tv shows from the 80’s and 90’s (Wiseguy was a fav), his favorite movies, his deep respect for the police and those that serve, and his Irish heritage.  We also spoke openly about his love and respect for his dad (Jay) and the steadfast love and patience of his Mom (Susan). Mike would share stories of dynamic discussions on politics etc. with his siblings (Maureen, Mollie, Megan and Matt) but then quickly balance any differences in his summary by highlighting their personal and professional accomplishments, underscoring the love and respect he had for each.  One item that stands out is every conversation I had, whether it be 10 minutes or 4 hours, were the updates on his kids, Connor, Finn, and Brady.  This is where he really got excited and passionate... He spoke of Connor’s great intelligence, interest in History and WWII and his exciting future, on Finn (his miracle child), he spoke of love, acceptance, and support, and on Brady he spoke of his thoughtfulness and emotional intelligence (reminding me of one of Mike’s favorite movies “The Quiet Man”, knowing Mike and Brady each have a deeply gentle and sensitive side.).  Every conversation we had, I walked away 100% clear that Mike truly loved his family with all his heart.   We also spoke of faith, a topic which each of us viewed as deeply personal and therefore would normally not share with others, but we knew we could speak the truth to each other.   At this time of Mike passing and during this Christmas season, I feel I should also share with you this aspect of my history and conversations with Mike - in fact, this may be the most important items about Mike that I can share today.  I have prayed quite a bit over the years for Mike and his family, in recent years, we spoke of these prayers and this gives me a level of peace.    To explain, Mike was absolutely flawed and imperfect (as each of us are), but as I sit here today writing this, I have peace. I have peace because Mike, like each of us, also has a perfect Creator, a perfect Savior and perfect Redeemer in Jesus Christ. Through faith in Him, each of us can share in His grace and a life everlasting.    Due to this fact, I know Mike right now is sitting with Jay, sharing stories and a lot of laughs, while looking down on his family and friends with nothing but love in His heart and this gives me peace ... this peace is also available to each of us, no matter how flawed or damaged we think we are, and I hope this also gives you peace.     I loved Mike like a brother, and I have peace today and I pray for this peace for each of you today and forever. Sincerely Ross Otto

Our deepest sympathies to the Mills family. To the sons,daughter, sisters ,brother and mother and all relatives and friends. So sad for your and our loss.I still remember when I used to babysit him as a child Peace be with you all

OBITUARY

Michael J. Mills

2 April, 1968 – 22 December, 2020

Glueckert Funeral Home

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