Leo Victor Mills

Leo Victor Mills of Edwardsville, Kansas, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2025, at the age of 94 in the company of his son and daughter. Visitation will be held Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with Rosary at 6:30 p.m. at Alden-Harrington Funeral Home in Bonner Springs, Kansas. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, October 24, 2025, at 9:45 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church, Kansas City, Kansas. Following the Mass, the burial will take place at Edwardsville Cemetery.
Born on September 16, 1931, in Kansas City, Kansas, he was the beloved son of Sam and Irene Mills. He led a long and distinguished life filled with loving devotion for his family, dedication to his career, and generosity and kindness for everyone he met. He graduated from Bishop Ward High School in 1949. He served in the United States Air Force until 1951, when he received an honorable discharge to return home and help care for his family's farm after his father suffered an accident.
He was the first in his family to graduate from college, receiving an associate degree from Donnelly College in 1955 and then earning a bachelor's degree in industrial management from the University of Kansas in 1959. He was hired by Ford Motor Company at the Claycomo plant in 1959 and worked his way up to Production Engineering Manager before retiring in 1991. He consulted for Ford eight more years and later worked part-time at the Internal Revenue Service in Kansas City, Missouri.
He met the love of his life, Sue Marie Brown, in 1952, and they were married on June 4, 1955. His son, Kevin, was born in 1959, and his daughter, Jean, was born in 1967. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing baseball, and attending the activities and sporting events of his children. He also loved animals and his many pets over the years, including Buddy, his beloved Siberian husky. After Sue passed in 2008, he was reacquainted with Carolyn Theiss, a Bishop Ward friend, and they became loving partners over the past 17 years.
His Catholic faith was always important to him, and he especially enjoyed the sign of peace. In 2021, he was inducted into the Donnelly College Hall of Fame for his many achievements and his warm embrace of faith and caring for others.
He is survived by his loving partner, Carolyn Theiss, of Kansas City, Kansas; his son, Kevin Mills and wife, Suzy Pfeifer, of Charleston, South Carolina; his daughter, Jean Crawford, and husband, Chris Crawford, of Piper, Kansas; brothers, David Mills of Kansas City, Missouri: John Mills of Overland Park, Kansas: and Sam Mills of Milan, Michigan; four adored grandchildren, Zack Mills and Sam Mills of New York City: Chance Crawford and wife, Cheyenne, of Shawnee, Kansas; and Chelsea Gross and husband, Andrew Gross of Edwardsville, Kansas; and his great-grandchildren, Eli, Emmarie, and Ellie Gross. He is preceded in death by his wife, Sue Mills; parents, Sam and Irene Mills; and sister, Corrine Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to Donnelly College, Kansas City, Kansas, or to St. Patrick's Church, Kansas City, Kansas.