John Mills

1949 - 2024

FAIRBURY - John J. Mills, 74, of Fairbury died Monday (April 8, 2024) at Carle Bromenn Medical Center, Normal.  

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. Funeral services will be on Friday, April 12, at 10 a.m. with visitation from 9 to 9:45 a.m.

Memorials in John's name may be made to the Prairielands Foundation or Livingston County Pheasants Forever.

John was born Dec. 18, 1949, in Pontiac, a son to James and Irene (Ingram) Mills. He married Karen S. Roche on Nov. 29, 1980, in Chatsworth. His wife, Karen, survives in Fairbury.

Also surviving are three children, Angela Mills of Cullom, Nathan (Tecia) Mills of Mahomet and Matthew (Shannon) Mills of Mahomet; seven grandchildren, Dakota (Nathan) Berens and Taylor, Chandler, Benjamin, Rory, Eli and Rosalie Mills; one brother, Richard (Rita) Mills of Cullom; one sister, Josephine (Charlie) Birch of Sedalia, Mo.; one brother-in-law, Darrel Satterfield of Cullom; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. 

John was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, David and Theresa Mills and Janet Satterfield; and one granddaughter, Tess Madilynne Mills.  

John was educated in the Kempton-Cabery schools, graduating in 1968. John enlisted and served in the Illinois Army National Guard from 1969 to 1975. John worked various construction jobs after graduating from high school. He entered the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Union in the early 1980s. He worked for different mason contractors on several masonry projects throughout central Illinois, with his favorite project being the remodel of the lodge at Starved Rock State Park in Utica. Upon retiring in 2010, John enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding his bicycle throughout Fairbury. He especially loved spending time with and attending his grandchildren's various activities.

A guest book and obituary are available at duffypilsmemorialhome.com.