Obituary for Charles Mills
Charles "Charlie" B Mills Sr, 86, of Tyrone PA, passed away on Saturday, September 9th surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 5th, 1937 in Northwood PA, the son of the late Clarence and Dorothy (Burns) Mills. He married Jeannie McConnell on July 29th, 1994 in Hagerstown Maryland.
Surviving are his wife of 29 years Jeannie; three sons: Jerry Mills, and Ron Greene, both of Tyrone PA, Mike (Michaela) Flinn-Mills of Erie PA; and Mike Kelly of CA, who has been like a son to him; five daughters; Andrea (Luis) Sanoja of Arlington TX, Tammy Mills of Tyrone, Danni Mills-Bowser of Waynesboro PA, Inga Olafsdottir of Iceland, and Kelly DeLeon-Sydnor of Philadelphia PA: twenty one grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters; a daughter, Jody Tomasello; and two sons, Carlos Mills and Charlie Mills Jr.
Charlie showed how devoted he was to serving his country by starting his military career at the age of fourteen. He enlisted three different times and was discharged each time due to his age. As a result of his perseverance he served thirty one years total service in various branches of the military, which included the Navy Seabees, California Army National Guard, and the Pennsylvania National Guard. He served three tours in Vietnam with the Navy Seabees as a Petty Officer in charge of the Reactionary Platoon. While there, he helped start an orphanage for Vietnamese children. He received two Purple Hearts along with aBronze Star, as a result of injuries sustained while in Vietnam.
After being sent stateside Charlie was assigned as a body escort in Dover Delaware escorting our fallen soldiers home. He also served tours in Iceland and Panama. He retired from the Army National Guard, in-service counselor and recruiter, in 1994 as a Sergeant Major.
After retirement he worked part time in Bellwood Borough, Gallitzin and Tyrone Boroughs before becoming Chief of Police in Synder Township and Mont Alto PA.
He always tried to help youths get their lives together and to this day, has had many young men and women come up to him and thank him. He was active in coaching baseball and football and organizing dances for the youth. His assistant football coach was Ron Rivera who is currently the head coach for the Washington Commanders. He has served on the Waynesboro School Board, Tyrone Borough Council and held the office of Constable.
He owned several businesses in Tyrone and started the local Navy Club. He also published four volumes of “Short Stories by Our Local Heroes” For many years he was responsible for the local Veterans Day parade, and honored our local veterans by putting a section of crosses at Soldiers Park.
A highlight in his life was receiving his honorary high school diploma from TAHS at a graduation awards ceremony in 2019.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, September 16th, 2023 at 12P.M. at Feller Memorial Home with Pastor Tim young officiating. Interment will be held in private. Friends will be received on Saturday from 10A.M. to 12P.M at Feller Memorial Home.
In lieu of flowers, family is asking donations in his name to be made to ST. Jude Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105
Surviving are his wife of 29 years Jeannie; three sons: Jerry Mills, and Ron Greene, both of Tyrone PA, Mike (Michaela) Flinn-Mills of Erie PA; and Mike Kelly of CA, who has been like a son to him; five daughters; Andrea (Luis) Sanoja of Arlington TX, Tammy Mills of Tyrone, Danni Mills-Bowser of Waynesboro PA, Inga Olafsdottir of Iceland, and Kelly DeLeon-Sydnor of Philadelphia PA: twenty one grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters; a daughter, Jody Tomasello; and two sons, Carlos Mills and Charlie Mills Jr.
Charlie showed how devoted he was to serving his country by starting his military career at the age of fourteen. He enlisted three different times and was discharged each time due to his age. As a result of his perseverance he served thirty one years total service in various branches of the military, which included the Navy Seabees, California Army National Guard, and the Pennsylvania National Guard. He served three tours in Vietnam with the Navy Seabees as a Petty Officer in charge of the Reactionary Platoon. While there, he helped start an orphanage for Vietnamese children. He received two Purple Hearts along with aBronze Star, as a result of injuries sustained while in Vietnam.
After being sent stateside Charlie was assigned as a body escort in Dover Delaware escorting our fallen soldiers home. He also served tours in Iceland and Panama. He retired from the Army National Guard, in-service counselor and recruiter, in 1994 as a Sergeant Major.
After retirement he worked part time in Bellwood Borough, Gallitzin and Tyrone Boroughs before becoming Chief of Police in Synder Township and Mont Alto PA.
He always tried to help youths get their lives together and to this day, has had many young men and women come up to him and thank him. He was active in coaching baseball and football and organizing dances for the youth. His assistant football coach was Ron Rivera who is currently the head coach for the Washington Commanders. He has served on the Waynesboro School Board, Tyrone Borough Council and held the office of Constable.
He owned several businesses in Tyrone and started the local Navy Club. He also published four volumes of “Short Stories by Our Local Heroes” For many years he was responsible for the local Veterans Day parade, and honored our local veterans by putting a section of crosses at Soldiers Park.
A highlight in his life was receiving his honorary high school diploma from TAHS at a graduation awards ceremony in 2019.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, September 16th, 2023 at 12P.M. at Feller Memorial Home with Pastor Tim young officiating. Interment will be held in private. Friends will be received on Saturday from 10A.M. to 12P.M at Feller Memorial Home.
In lieu of flowers, family is asking donations in his name to be made to ST. Jude Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105