John Max McMillen, 89, of Mansfield, passed away on January 9, 2026. Born in Ambrose, Pennsylvania on January 27, 1936, he was the son of the late Royden McMillen and Helen Smith and stepfather, Clair “Smitty” Smith with whom he shared a close bond and lovingly raised him.
He was deeply proud of his roots and family who meant everything to him. He lived a life marked by strong memory, generosity, selflessness, and quiet pride. John was known as a caring, loving man who never met a stranger and was widely regarded as a trusted gentleman by all who knew him.
John deeply enjoyed spending time with his family and especially cherished moments with his grandchildren, cheering them on at sporting events. He found joy in games such as Euchre and Jenga and appreciated the simple pleasures of life. He was described as warm, steady, and dependable, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he encountered. He found joy in life’s simple pleasures, from appreciating the warmth of a new winter coat to the satisfaction of restoring cherished antique cars and took great pride in rebuilding a 1967 Pontiac Firebird alongside his son—an experience that reflected not only his mechanical skill, but the deep bond they shared. These moments of craftsmanship, connection, and quiet contentment were among his greatest treasures.
John was a devoted member of Hope Lutheran Church and the Auto Workers Union. On April 13, 1963, he received his Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship for completing a 4-year die making program from Fisher Body Division of GM Corporation. He dedicated 40 years of service to General Motors before retiring. His strong work ethic and loyalty were evident throughout his career and personal life.
John is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nancy McMillen; son, Scott (Tawnia) McMillen, grandsons, Cory McMillen, Kyle (Victoria) McMillen, Cody McMillen and Kolin (Hannah) McMillen; granddaughter, Kiana (Marcus) Miller; son-in-law, Craig Papst; grandson, Mitchell (Bethany) Papst; granddaughters, Mackenna (Paul) Homan and Madison Papst; five great-grandchildren, Kaiden, Ryan, Tiffin, Sloane and Maren; two sisters-in-law, Chris Moore and Margaret Moore.
In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his stepfather, Clair “Smitty” Smith; daughter, Debbie Papst; three brothers-in-law, Richard Moore, Bernard Moore and Thomas Moore; and a sister-in-law, Roberta Moore.
Friends and family may gather on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 5pm to 7pm Wappner Funeral Directors-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd. Funeral Services will take place on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11am. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park.
