Charles E. Mills

Charles E. Mills, age 67, of New Philadelphia, died early Tuesday morning, December 27, 2011, in Trinity Hospital Twin City at Dennison where he had been a patient since Christmas Eve. Born in Twin City Hospital at Dennison, December 20, 1944, he was a son of the late Marold and Florence Snyder Mills. He grew up in the twin city area, but when a junior in high school, his family relocated to New Philadelphia. As fate would have it, this lead to his meeting a classmate, Juanita Elliott who turned out to be his best friend and the love of his life. They were members of NPHS Class of ’63, and were wed March 14, 1964. Best known as Charlie to his family friends and co-workers, he entered the United States Navy directly out of high school. He spent months away from home, deployed on unique missions that allowed him the distinction of visiting both the north and south poles. He was a proud crew member of the USS Atka; the last US Navy Ice Breaker to participate in Operation Deep Freeze Antarctica. He returned to New Philadelphia following his discharge from the Navy, and began what was a forty-five year career in the construction industry. Charlie’s dedication, knowledge, and strong work ethic were well known through-out the business. He was most recently employed with Lyndco Construction as a Senior Project Manager â?? a position which required a daily commute to Columbus, OH. Charlie often referred to his daily drive as “just a hop, skip and jump”. He was newly (and quite reluctantly) retired due to health issues. Charlie often lent his talents to family, friends and neighbors who sought him out to complete their concrete jobs â?? from porches, to sidewalks and driveways; Charlie’s handiwork is visible at many area homes. In his limited spare time, Charlie was an avid golfer and he rebuilt a 1967 Camero RS to pristine condition. Charlie and Juanita enjoyed trips to car shows all across the Eastern United States and never failed to leave without special recognition. Their car can be seen gracing the cover of the May, 2004, Camero World magazine. His memberships included the Ohio Carpenter’s Union # 285, and the BPO Elks Lodge # 510 of New Philadelphia. Survivors, in addition to wife Juanita, whom he loved and adored for forty-seven years, include their daughter and son, Yvonne (husband Doug) Mutschelknaus of New Philadelphia and Mark (wife Elaine) Mills of Garrettsville, OH. He’ll be sadly missed by his four grandchildren, Erika Mutschelknaus and her fiance Steven Swinderman and Mason Mutschelknaus of New Philadelphia, and twins Grace and Faith Mills of Garrettsville. A brother, Dean (wife Suellen) Mills of New Philadelphia and a sister Mary Page of Uhrichsville, as well as many nieces and nephews complete the family. In addition to his parents, Charlie is preceded in death by an infant son Kevin; brothers Larry and Ralph Mills; and a sister Emma Beitzel. Friends are invited to call Friday, December 30, from 4-7 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory 116 Second Street NE, New Philadelphia where an Elks Lodge of Sorrow service will commence at 6:45. Pastor Jim Borton will lead the Mills funeral Saturday morning at 10:30 in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial, with military honors, will follow in East Avenue Cemetery. Following the committal service, family and friends will gather for a luncheon in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home. Those unable to attend are invited to share memories and condolences by visiting the funeral home’s website. The family wishes to thank Dr. Jennifer Ney and the staff at the hospital for their care, and support during these past few difficult years. The family requests that memorial gifts be made in the name of Mr. Charles E. Mills and forwarded to the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute at: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation , PO Box 931517, Cleveland OH 44193-1655. Please include “for pulmonary research” with the donation. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4.