Ernest W. Mills

RICHMOND, Ind. – Ernest W. Mills, age 89, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, March 22, 2024, at home with his family.
Born February 6, 1935, in Georgetown, Illinois, to Harley and Lois Black Mills, Ernie lived in Richmond most of his life. He farmed at a young age, worked in his Dad's Grab It Here store, and had a swing milk route for Producer's Dairy. Ernie was a 1953 graduate of Georgetown Township High School. During his time at Earlham College, while sharing an ice cream cone he fell in love with Betty, and they married on June 16, 1957. She was the love of his life.
Ernie was influenced and mentored to be a funeral director by a good friend, Raymond Houghton. He graduated from Indiana College of Mortuary Science in 1959 and has been a devoted funeral director ever since in deed and heart. Ernie was employed for 10 years by Doan & Son Funeral Home and Welfer Funeral Home. He and Betty purchased both funeral homes in November of 1967, and established the firm of Doan & Mills at the current location in 1974. Betty and Ernie shared their love of funeral service and were a complimentary team. He was past president of the 5th District of Indiana Funeral Directors Association and served on the Hightower Services Board of Indiana Funeral Directors Association (IFDA). Ernie considered it an honor helping families in our community and cherished the many friendships he formed during his life-long ministry.
Ernie made friends everywhere he went and always took a sincere interest in others and making people feel appreciated, loved, and left with a smile. He was humble, yet extraordinary as a businessman and as a dad, a friend, and a Papa. Ernie savored every chapter of his life. He would converse with friends and strangers alike with genuine interest and loved a good joke. Ernie had a mind that could recall everything and remember all family relationships, enhanced because he sincerely cared. His compassion, humor, love, and kind words will be greatly missed.
Ernie served on the boards of Friends Fellowship Community for 16 years, Richmond Civic Theatre, Wayne County Easter Seal, Hospice Advisory Board, Wayne County Welfare Board, and Peoples Federal Savings.
He was a member of Central United Methodist Church, Richmond Masonic Lodge #196, and Indianapolis Valley of Scottish Rite and a former member of Richmond Noon Kiwanis Club (where he co-chaired the first Kiwanis Auction), Murat Shrine, Forest Hills Country Club, Elks Lodge #649, GUTS (Growth Upholds This Society) Investment Club, Quarterback Club, and Richmond Jaycees.
Ernie enjoyed hanging out with his two grandsons, fishing, enjoying the company of his friends that would frequently meet on his driveway, horseback riding before his hip surgery, anything involving ice cream, attending the races at Winchester, his second Model A (which he got as a surprise on Christmas 1994), and attending and supporting cultural events in Richmond.
Survivors include his daughter, Beth (David) Lydick of Richmond; grandsons, Michael Lydick (Daniele Lynch) of Richmond and Andrew Lydick (Bre'Anna Jarrett) of Indianapolis, Indiana; great-granddaughter, Averie Lydick; sister, Donna Taylor of Chrisman, Illinois; the families of his three sisters; and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Betty Eckler Mills, who died May 19, 2016; parents; sisters, Norma Walker and Katie Myers; and brothers-in-law, Jim Walker and Eugene Taylor.
Visitation for Ernest W. Mills will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond, with a Masonic service at 7:45 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Pastor Chip Belanga and Pastor John Walker officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Friends Fellowship Community for the Endowment Fund, 2030 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, IN 47374.
Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.