Patricia Mills

Age 84, passed away at Rose Arbor on November 23, 2017. Pat was born September 29, 1933 in Kalamazoo, MI and was the daughter of Paul H. and Erma L. Keene. Pat graduated from KCHS class of 1951 and was united in marriage to William O Mills, Jr. on March 7, 1953; they were able to celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary together. Their friendship began in kindergarten, and she lost her will when she lost Bill. Pat was a true Domestic Goddess, as the children grew she worked briefly for Kalamazoo Public School administration and worked part-time many years for Portage Public Schools as a cashier and "lunch lady" at Central Elementary and the high school, retiring in 1993. Pat and Bill were active members of Centre Avenue Church of God and participated in many church groups. They enjoyed their motorhome camping groups for many years, and also enjoyed traveling to Europe with the PCHS Band, Hawaii and Alaska. Pat and Bill spent many years together with 4H students, girl scouts, boy scouts, and Portage Central Band boosters. They were honored for their support after having all five of their children active in the PCHS band. Pat was an accomplished seamstress and shared her talent by making quilts for her children and grandchildren, Halloween costumes, clothes for her children and made or repaired anything for anyone in need. She also made quilted craft items, did cake decorating and was in ceramics for a number of years. When she became a great-grandmother, she was Mrs. Santa on Christmas Eve with Bill as Santa, for their great-grandchildren. Pat was preceded in death by the love of her life, Bill, on October 5, 2017; her parents; her brother-in-law, Bruce Mills; great-granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Glerum and brothers, Donald and James Keene. She is survived her children, Deborah (Kenneth) Glerum, Suzanne (Richard Storteboom) Mills, Stephanie (service dog, Sunny) Mills, Michael (Maryann) Mills and Paula (James) Wheaton; grandchildren, Dan (Kristen) and Chad (Tanya) Glerum; William Parker and Leslie Storteboom; Shane (Laura), Gary (Jonelle) and Joey (Elizabeth) Richardson; Ashley Mills and Sarah (Calvin) Strombeck, seventeen great-grandchildren and three additional great-grandchildren in 2018. She is also survived by her brothers, Norman (Elaine) Keene, David (Barbara) Keene, sisters-in-law Karen Keene, Tracee Keene, and Missy Mills, and special family members, David Richmond and Mike Peters. She was a beloved aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Pat's life will be on Friday, December 1, 2018 at 11:00 am at Centre Avenue Church of God, 1917 East Centre Ave., Portage, MI 49002. Friends and family may visit with the family one hour prior to the service. Private interment of Bill and Pat will take place at Portage South Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Rose Arbor Hospice Residence or C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Pediatric Cardiology. Family and friends may share a condolence message online at www.joldersma-klein.com.