Donald Mills, M.D.

Donald Eugene Mills, MD, died Wednesday, May 16, 2007. At 1:50 a.m. a great man went home to be with the Lord, passing in his sleep after a lengthy illness. Dr. Mills was born to Dr. Harold F. and Alberta Mills on May 21, 1933 in Columbus. He and his sister, Melba, were raised in Mansfield where his father practiced medicine for 47 years. Dr. Mills will always be remembered as a caring and charismatic man. His caring nature could not only be seen in the care given to his patients and his love for his family, but also toward anyone he met. He graduated from Lexington High School with honors. He was the only African American in his class and was elected President of his class. He played on the basketball and baseball teams and served as captain. He also sang in the school choir and acted in numerous school plays. He attended The Ohio State University from 1951-1954, completing his BA. He received his M.D. in 1958 from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. While Dr. Mills was interning at Cleveland City Hospital, he met and then married Joycelyn Grace Love. He completed his surgical residency in Cleveland in 1960. He returned to Mansfield in 1960 to practice family medicine with his father, H.F. until 1969. Dr. Mills pursued an anesthesia residency at the University of Pittsburgh from 1969-1971. Upon completing the residency, he returned to join the Anesthesia Association of Mansfield, Inc. where he practiced until his retirement in 2005. Dr. Donald Mills provided anesthesiology services to both Mansfield General/MedCentral Mansfield Hospital and People's Hospital. He served on the Board of Trustees, numerous executive committees and as Chairman of the anesthesia department. When not at the hospital, Dr. Mills pursued his passion of race car driving. He began racing at the Mid-Ohio raceway in the 1970s and also served on its medical team. He won numerous races and brought home many trophies and checkered flags, and in 1993, was named Mid-Ohio Driver of the Year.

Dr. Mills leaves behind his five children, Joy, Mark, Vicky, Leasa, and David; nine grandchildren, David Michael, Brian, Bonnie, Kellie, Robbie, Milas, Natalie, Alex and Alexis; a sister, Melba Stewart; brother-in-law, Dink; niece, Robin; nephew, Donald; and a host of dear friends.

There will be no calling hours or services at this time. Wappner Funeral Directors assisted the family with arrangements.