Michael A. Mills

Michael A. Mills, 57, of New Philadelphia, died unexpectedly on Friday, March 3, 2006 at Canton, Ohio.A son of the late Lawrence and Eva (Mayhew) Mills, Michael was born June 24, 1948 at Wheeling, West Virginia.Michael was raised in Windsor Heights, West Virginia, where during his childhood he spent many summer days playing baseball. He was a 1966 graduate of Wellsburg High School and was employed by PMI Merchandising where he set up displays in Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores.Michael served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and he then retired from the Army as Sergeant First Class in the Military Intelligence.Michael was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Philadelphia and was a member of the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge #510. He was a volunteer at Green Valley Golf Course in New Philadelphia and having been an avid golfer, he played many rounds of golf there as well. But most of all, Michael admired his grandchildren and he cherished every moment he spent with them.He is survived by his loving wife, Marsha (Byers) Vaughan-Mills, whom he married on November 22, 2002; one daughter, Janelle (Marc McGee) Mills of Boston, Massachusetts; step-children, Brian (Stacey) Vaughan of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Leslie (Jason) Miller of New Philadelphia; grandchildren, Zachary and Samantha Vaughan and Julia and Ava Miller; brothers, Lawrence Mills of Wooster, Patrick Mills of Washington D.C. and Leslie (Angie) Mills of Louisiana; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lewis and Norma Byers; sisters-in-law, Jerri (Alan) Johnson of Dover and Charlotte Mills of Windsor Heights, West Virginia, nephews, Grant and Brandon Johnson as well as many other special nieces and nephews.Michael was preceded in death by his parents and on brother, Joseph and sisters, Bythia, Dorothy, Ramona, Ruth and Margaret.Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home at New Philadelphia with the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge #510 holding services at 5:45 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Michael’s life will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2006 at 1 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Chapel with Monsignor George Schlegel officiating. Burial will follow in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia with the New Philadelphia V.F.W Post #1445 performing military honors. Following the committal service, a reception will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.Memorial contributions may be made in Michael’s name to a charity of one’s choice.