Robert William MILLS Sr.

MILLS Robert William Sr. Robert W. Mills, Sr., 92, of Perrysburg passed away Friday, April 2, 2010, at Kingston Residence. Robert was born January 10, 1918, in Perrysburg, Ohio to Charles and Lillian (Schnapp) Mills. Bob's great-grandfather, George Mills came to Perrysburg in 1850, making the Mills family one of the first families in Perrysburg. Bob attended grade school at St. Rose where he was an altar boy and graduated from Perrysburg High School in 1936. Bob served in the 3036th Army Air Force Base Unit in World War II as an airplane maintenance technician, where he supervised and conducted maintenance inspections and repaired engines on fighter planes. Dorothy Eckel married Bob in 1941 and together they had two children, Robert William Jr. and Michael. Dorothy preceded Bob in death in 1982. He later married Nancy Wygant on May 18, 1983 and she survives. Bob opened Mills Hardware in 1946. It was first located at 214 Louisiana and in 1964, he moved the business to the site of the old Kazmaier's grocery store at 130 Louisiana. Mills Hardware has been in continuous business for almost 65 years in uptown Perrysburg. It is now owned by Bruce Birgode. He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and a past member of Valleywood Golf Club and Perrysburg Exchange Club. Many years ago, Bob bowled for the Mills Hardware bowling league. He was also a boat captain at the Nature Conservancy in Naples, Florida, where he and his wife, Nancy resided for 25 years in the winter. He is survived by his wife and his son, Michael (Barbara) Mills, grand-children, Kathryn (Michael) Golembe, Christine (Craig) Tanis and Chad (Chiaki) Mills; great-grandchildren, Lily and Caleb Tanis and Carter Golembe. Bob was preceded in death by his son, Robert William Mills Jr. and sister, Grace Hettel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 10:15 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church, 215 E. Front Street, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551. Burial will be held at St. Rose Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted in Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, Perrysburg (419-874-3133) In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Way Public Library-The Large Print Book Department, 101 E. Indiana Ave, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551, Kingston Residence-Memory Care Unit, 333 E. Boundary Street, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551, the 577 Foundation, 577 E. Front Street, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 or the donor's choice. The family would like to thank the staffs at Kingston and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for all their care and support. Condolences may be made online to the family at www.witzlershank.com