David Thomas "Tom" Mills Sr.

MILTON - David Thomas "Tom" Mills Sr., of Milton, passed away Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010, in the Delaware Hospice Center, in Milford, surrounded by his loving family. He was 66. Mr. Mills was born in Dover, son of the late David Mills and Emma (Scott) Mills Lynch. He was an Insurance Agent with the Williams Insurance Agency in Rehoboth since 1988 and previously owned and operated The Gladstone Inn, also in Rehoboth. He graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy in 1964 and Union College, in Barbourville, Ky., in 1967. Tom had served on the Smyrna Town Council and also served as Mayor. Tom served as Past Master and was a member of Harmony Masonic Lodge, in Smyrna. His memberships also included Shriners International, Scottish Rite Consistory, Nur Temple, Son of the American Legion Squad #28, Elks Lodge #2540, in Lewes and the Dewey Beach Lions Club. He joined the Dewey Beach Lions Club on February 1989, was a life member, received the Ralph Helm Fellow and Melvin Jones Fellow. He was Past President for two terms. He represented the Dewey Beach Lions Club at three International Conventions, 2002 in Osaka Japan, 2003 in Denver, Colo., and 2004 in Detroit, Mich. Tom was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother who enjoyed spending time with his family, especially annual vacations. He will be remembered by is great sense of humor and ability to comfort others. Tom will be dearly loved and missed by many. In addition to his parents, a sister precedes him in death, Joanne Mills. Tom leaves behind his adoring wife, Linda Ann (Biddle) Mills; his loving children, David Thomas Mills, Jr., and wife Kaylon, of North Bend, Ore., Shane Biddle and wife Jennifer, of Felton, Elizabeth Kennedy, of Germany and Tabitha Masten, of Smyrna; five grandchildren, whom he loved dearly, Austin and Ellie Biddle, Danielle Schenneman, Justin and Meghan Masten; his sister, Marijane Copes and husband Charles, of Smyrna; and his two dogs, Emma and Ernie. A funeral service will be held Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market St., Georgetown, where friends may call after noon. A graveside service will be Tuesday, Jan. 4, in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna, at 1 p.m. Flowers are accepted or contributions can be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.