James Mills

James F. Mills, 72, of Mansfield, died Thursday, August 27, 2009, at MedCentral Mansfield. Born September 29, 1936, in Mansfield, he was the son of Albert and Helen Mae Kissling Mills. A dairy farmer, James was a kind and gentle man who never met a stranger. He was friends with everyone and was known as saying "sit on the swing, I'll be right out". James enjoyed working on the farm, "barn raising" with him Amish friends, auctions, cooking being his wife's sous chef and eating. He mostly enjoyed his family especially his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great-grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife and best friend of 55 years, Sandra McLaughlin Mills; four children, James Mills of Lexington, Katherine Wilson of Mansfield, Connie Grant of Nankin and John Mills of Mansfield; 15 grandchildren, including a special grandson, Gary Wilson; 15 great grandchildren, including a special great granddaughter, Hazel Mathys; one great great-grandchild; brothers, Robbin Jean Mills, and Jerry Betty Mills, all of Mansfield; sister, JoAnn Sferro of Mansfield; sister-in-law, Victoria Baldridge; and special friends, Jerry Evans, John Shifflet, Johnny and Bill Beer, Bill Tallion, Eddie Szlak, Eli Brenaman and family, and Amish community friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Tom Mills.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 2, 2009, at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield, OH 44902, conducted by Rev. Glenn Phillips. Burial will follow in Lantz Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday, September 1, 2009, from 2-7 pm and one hour prior to the services, from 12:30-1:30 p.m., at the funeral home on Wednesday.