Richard H. Mills Sr.

Mr. Mills graduated from Joy High School in Joy, IL and earned a Masters degree in chemistry from Western IL University in Macomb, IL. He was drafted for the Korean War and served in the US Army in Germany. Mr. Mills taught chemistry for 40 years at Belleville Area College and was a member and former elder of First Christian Church in Belleville. He loved woodworking, working with his metal lathe, old radios, gardening, travel and spending time with family and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Gazelle (nee LaBounty) Mills and a twin brother in infancy, Robert Mills.

Survived by his wife, JoAnn (nee Allen) Mills; children, Richard Mills, Jr. and his children, Christi and Casey Mills of Bolingbrook, IL, Elizabeth (Todd) Cheffer and their children, Keaton and Tori Cheffer of Belleville, IL, Lynette (Daniel) Toenjes and their children, Elliot, Carly, and Ethan Toenjes of Millstadt, IL, and Robert (Kathryn) Mills of Fairview Heights, IL; great grandchildren, Kylie Larson, Jacob Larson, and Carrie Mills of Bolingbrook IL; brothers, Harold (Shirley) Mills of New Boston, IL and their children, Kathleen Perrine of Davenport, IA, Valerie (Scott) Thorne of Parkersburg, IA, Brian (Karen) Mills of New Boston, IL, and Timothy (Sally) Mills of Marshalltown, IA and Stanley (Phyllis) Mills of Crossnore, NC and their children, Stephen (Alice) Mills of San Diego, CA, David (Tamara) Mills of Niskayuna, NY and Rachel (Michael) Owen of Raleigh, NC; 7 grandnieces, 8 grandnephews, and 1 great grandnephew.

Visitation: Friends may call on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. at First Christian Church, 5929 Old St. Louis Rd., Belleville, IL. Funeral Service Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the church with interment to follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory with military honors. Memorials are appreciated to First Christian Church or Hospice of Southern IL.