Donald Orville Mills

Donald Orville Mills, age 83, of Stockton, Missouri passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2025. A visitation for Donald will be held Friday, July 18, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Floral Hills Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64133. A funeral service will occur Friday, July 18, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. A graveside service will follow.

Visitors are welcome at the family’s home in Parkville, MO after the services for company and storytelling. Memorial contributions may be made to Arcola Christian Church where Donald was a devoted member.

Don was born in 1942 in Woodbine, Iowa from John Orville Mills and Bernadine Speake-Mills. He graduated from Woodbine High School in 1960 and moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where he and his parents established Poudre Valley Church of Christ. Leaving the family home, he moved to Kansas City, MO and met his wife, Carol, while working at McDonalds. In 1964, he and Carol Martin married and welcomed one child, Linda Mills in 1966. Looking for more stable employment, he badgered the Claycomo Ford Plant for work, and eventually joined the United Autoworkers Local 249, where he remained until his retirement in the 1990’s. During his time at the plant, he attended Southside Christian Church providing transportation, children’s education and serving as a Deacon and an Elder. His positive influence led one child to later become a minister himself. Don later served as Deacon and Elder at Clay County Christian Church. Wanting to escape the city noise (traffic), he moved himself and his reluctant wife to Stockton, MO where they joined the Arcola Christian Church. He was a faithful member for twenty-five years and he was also known for creating the local fall festival, which was formed out of his passion for children’s safety and enjoyment. Continuing his devotion to the well-being of children, he joined the Arcola Lions Club where he regularly worked the Walnut Festival to help raise funds for the club. Don’s priorities placed Christ first, and family, the family dog, friends and strangers, all above himself.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Bernadine Mills, elder sister Donna Bahr, loving wife Carol Mills and brothers-in-law John Tapp and Roger Bahr.

Don is survived by his daughter Linda Cash, son-in-law Steven Cash, grandson and caretaker Robert Thomas, granddaughter Leighann Thomas and soon-to-be grandson-in-law Jake Young. He is also survived by the Bahr Family: nephew Wayne and his wife Sharon, niece Kelly and her husband Lee Valencia, as well as niece Karen and her husband Dave Portenier. Don is also survived by the Martin-Tapp Family, his sister-in-law Nancy, niece Anne Tate, nephew Matt and his wife Cindi Talbert-Tapp and great niece and nephews Molly, Hannah, and Haydn Gambardella.