November 23-1929 – February 1, 2014
Donald Eugene Mills, 84, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2014 at the Boise VA Medical Center in Boise, Idaho from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was born November 23, 1929 in Fallon, Nevada to Annie (King) Mills and Wayne Mills. He attended schools in Fallon, Nevada, graduating in 1947. He was inducted into the Air Force where he spent the next 4 years as a sergeant in the Military Police at Upper Heyford, England, Sculthorpe, England and the Azores Islands. After being honorably discharged, he joined the Fallon Police Department. Five years later in 1960, he was appointed Chief of Police. He retired as Chief in 1979. While working on the police department, he joined the Fallon Volunteer Fire Department and served there for 19 years, retiring as one of the assistant chiefs. In 1975, Don married Carol McDaniel in Gardnerville, Nevada. They moved to Summerville, Oregon in 1983 to raise sheep, to Weston, Oregon in 1992, and finally to Adams, Oregon in 2007. Don is survived by his wife Carol, sister Waynette deBraga (Bob) of Corning, California, brother Bob Mills (Bev) of Los Molinos, California, daughters Kim Glover (Tony) of Weston, Suzi Countryman (JD) of Fallon, Nevada, Debbie Sanders (Bill) of Torrey, Utah, seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A daughter Stacey, son Robert (Bob), and two sisters, Gloria and Marjorie preceded him in death. Don will be remembered for his great sense of humor and love for family. He hunted deer and birds with his brother and father, until he swapped out his rifle and shotguns for cameras. He enjoyed photography, watercolor painting, drawing, building black powder rifles and working in his garden. Family campouts were always high on his list of favorites. Don was a ‘Jack of all trades’, could repair almost anything, built 2 homes, 2 barns and many outbuildings. During his lifetime, he overhauled aircraft engines, was a ranch hand, policeman, fireman, raised sheep, horses and dairy cows. Services and remembrance will be at Weston Cemetery on Monday, February 10, 2014, at 2 p.m. Sign the online condolence book at www.burnsmortuary.com Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, Oregon is in care of arrangements. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.