Steven Allen Mills
Steven Allen Mills died peacefully from complications of COVID-19 on October 14, 2021, at The Villages Regional Hospital in Lady Lake, FL. He was 70.
The son of Betty and the late Garold “Jerry” Edward Mills, Steve was born and raised in Springfield. He graduated from Northeastern High School.
Steve attended The Ohio State University in Columbus where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and The Ohio Staters service organization.
In 1976, Steve joined the family business, Mills Chevrolet-Olds-Pontiac, Inc. in Richwood. There, he was able to work with his father and, for a period, his two younger brothers. Daily, Steve arrived at the “agency” a few hours before sunrise to make coffee and do some work before a constant stream of friends came through the door to visit. While he appreciated automobiles, his drive to keep strenuous hours was fueled by the anticipation of whom he would see each day, be they employees or customers. He served as the company’s president until closing the operation in 2008. After a brief respite, he returned to work at Chesrown Chevrolet Buick GMC, Inc. in Delaware, from which he retired in the autumn of 2018.
Steve called Richwood home, raising two children, and making countless friends over nearly 30 years. He became a Freemason and Shriner. He was also a member of the Essex United Methodist Church and the Richwood First United Methodist Church.
He then lived in Delaware, for fifteen more years, continuing to make new friends and create fun wherever he went.
In 2019, Steve and his partner, Mindy, relocated to The Villages, FL. They married in 2020. While living in Florida, he fully enjoyed retirement, often remarking to friends and family how fortunate he felt to live there. He loved the sunshine, golfing, swimming, bowling, and listening to live music. The simplicity of life on a golf cart suited him well.
An avid golfer, Steve enjoyed sharing the love of the game with his family and friends. He spent many days watching, playing, or just talking about the game. While a lifelong Republican, he welcomed open dialogue with those of all ideologies.
Steve was a son, brother, husband, and father to a fortunate few, but a friend to so many others. He is survived by his wife, Malinda “Mindy” (Yenser); daughter Kelly Mills (Matthew Elliott) of Columbus; son Christopher of Pinehurst, NC; mother Betty of Sarasota, FL; brothers Randy (Cynthia) of Dayton, and Rick (Jane) of Sarasota; stepsons Logan Dawson (Taylor) of Columbus and Drew Dawson of Plain City; step-granddaughter Hensley Dawson of Plain City; ex-wife Jacki (McClenathan) Mills of Delaware; stepmother Ruth Mills of London; numerous nieces and nephews; and many special friends whom he befriended during his 70 years on Earth. He was preceded in death by his father and stepson (Myles Dawson).
A Gathering of Family and Friends celebrating Steve's Life will take place Sunday May 22, 2022 from 1 to 4 pm at The Barn at Stratford, 2690 Stratford Rd. Delaware, Ohio 43015
Memorial gifts may be made to The Heart of Ohio Junior Golf Association (HOJGA, Attn: Steve Mills Memorial Fund, PO Box 821, Marion, OH, 43301-0821).
The family would appreciate Steve’s legacy being carried on by others and requests that friends greet everyone they meet before noon with a “good morning”; sing along to every song; and do something nice for someone else each day.
The Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home in Richwood is assisting the family
Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.stofcheck-ballinger.com
Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home