Roberta McMillen

Roberta McMillen, age 86, of Country Club Retirement Center at Dover, died Tuesday, March 31, 2009.A daughter of the late Clark and Sara (Kerr) Mason, Roberta was born at Dover, Ohio on January 8, 1923.Roberta was a graduate of Dover High School and for a number of years worked for her family’s business, the former Mason’s Food Liner. On June 8, 1941, Roberta married the love of her life, Robert D. McMillen, Sr. whom she had celebrated sixty years of marriage prior to his passing on June 12, 2001. Together, the couple reared two sons, Robert D. McMillen, Jr. and Daniel L. McMillen who also preceded her in death.Roberta had an uncanny ability to strike up a conversation with practically anyone who crossed her path. She lit up as she learned of the life stories of those she came in contact with; and certainly enjoyed sharing her stories as part of the dialogue. Many of Roberta’s pastimes included playing Bridge, gardening, canning, quilting and sewing. But she looked forward to Christmas time the most when baking cookies for family and friends occupied much of her free time. She also had a great passion for Cleveland sports teams and enjoyed learning the personal information and following the stats of each of her favorite players and coaches on these teams.Roberta is survived by a daughter-in-law, Dee McMillen of the Leesville Lake area; four grandchildren, Lori (Chuck) Schreiner of Port Washington, Mike (Amanda) McMillen of New Philadelphia, Darby (Sylvia) McMillen of Long Beach, California, and Shannon McMillen (companion, Eric McClure) of San Luis Obispo, California; three step-grandchildren, Terry (Bobi) Thompson of Bolivar, Kerby (Shelly) Thompson of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Brian Thompson of Strasburg; four great-grandchildren, Adam, Haley, Hannah, Brooke, and Taylor; eleven step-great-grandchildren, Trent, Lindsey, Ashley, Garrett, Elise, Landen, Susan, Geoffrey, David, Michael, and Katie; and a sister in law, Marilyn Hutson of Portland, Oregon.Two nieces, whom Roberta was especially close to, Linda (Ward) Holdsworth, and Bonnie (Tom) Yanders, both of New Philadelphia as well as numerous other nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews complete the family.In addition to her parents, husband, and sons, Roberta was preceded in death by a brother, Herb Mason; two sisters, Evelyn Carlisle, and Maxine Voshall; as well as a brother-in-law, Kenneth Hutson.Friends are invited to call Thursday, April 2, 2009, from 6PM â?? 8PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Steve Patrick will lead services for Roberta on Friday morning, April 3, 2009, at 10:30 AM in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church at New Philadelphia. Interment will follow, in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. A reception will be served in the church fellowship hall at the conclusion of the committal.Memorial contributions in Roberta’s name may be sent to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 202 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, Ohio 44622.