John Mills

JOHN E. MILLS, 62, of Arcola, IL, passed away at 5:20 P.M. Saturday, December 31, 2016, at Arcola Health Care Center.

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at Edwards Funeral Home in Arcola, IL. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at Arcola United Methodist Church. Rev. Jeff VanDyke will officiate. Burial will be in Cartwright Cemetery, rural Tuscola, IL.

John was born March 4, 1954, in Shelbyville, IL, the son of Raymond L. and Nancy L. (Hudson) Mills. He married Julia Anne Rairden October 22, 1983, in Arcola, IL.

He is survived by his wife, Julie Mills, three sons, Jason Ray Mills and his wife Holly of Tuscola, IL, Kyle Anthony Mills of Urbana, IL and Bryson John Mills and his wife Casey of Arcola, IL; six grandchildren, Cody Ray Mills, Sydney Kay Mills, Emily Anne Mills, Logan James Mills, Michael John Mills and Stella June Mills; one sister, Rebecca Rae Hudson and her husband Robert “Dan” of Marengo, IL; two brothers-in-law, Steve Rairden of Arcola, IL and John Rairden of Tuscola, IL; and two sisters-in-law, Sue Stout and her husband Jerry and Nancy Rairden all of Arcola, IL.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Juanita Rairden.

John was a 1972 graduate of Arcola High School and attended Parkland College. He retired from Cabot Corporation in 2009 as a lab technician with over 37 years of service.

John was a member of Arcola United Methodist Church, where he had served as chairman of the Trustees. He also served as president of Arcola Jaycees and Arcola Lions Club. He was a member of Arcola Masonic Lodge.

Being a Purple Rider himself, John was always a big Arcola Purple Rider fan and also a big Fighting Illini fan. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Arcola United Methodist Church or Arcola Foundation-Allen Roberts Fund.