Obituary of Frederick M. Mills

Frederick M. Mills, 76, formerly of Smithville Flats, NY went home to be with the Lord on January 2, 2019 at his home. He was born May 23, 1942 in a small-town hospital in Greene, NY, the fifth child of nine to Hazel Mae (Follett) and Frederick W. Mills. Fred is predeceased by his parents and by his four brothers: James F. (Shirley Hatfield) Mills, Robert H. (Alice Bruggeman) Mills, David W. (Linda Moorhead) Mills and Donald W. (Joan Bennett) Mills. Surviving are sisters Lona N. (James) Grant, and Lois M. (Albert Huffman, Daryl Yaw & James) Reeves, and brothers Howard W. (Caroline McGowan) Mills and Richard A. (Mary Harrington) Mills. On September 22, 1962 Fred married his sweetheart, Bonita (Bonnie) L. Ketchum, during his three-year service in the US Army, having been deployed on the Korea DMZ from 1960-1962 as an ammunition specialist driving truck over rugged terrain. Bonnie went to be with the Lord on November 14, 2017 after 55 years of marriage and their four children: Duane F. (Julie Dallas) Mills of Jamestown, NY; Karen L. (Mark) Sasse overseas; Wendy B. (Steven) Walzer and Mark A. Mills both of Jamestown, NY. He also had many nieces and nephews, eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Fred was an avid hunter in his younger years and a hard worker as he began employment at the huge Tarbell Guernsey Farms in Smithville Flats, NY until he joined the Army in 1960. Afterward, he worked for his brother, Jim, at the Mobil Station in Greene, NY until 1970 when he hired out at the Raymond Factory in Greene. But his love of outdoors and the deep-seated entrepreneurship he had since adolescence caused him to accept a position as a Roto-Rooter technician in Johnson City, NY for which he worked night and day from 1971 to 1978. In 1979 he started a new Roto Rooter franchise in Jamestown NY. Here again, Fred worked hard to build the franchise. He obtained his master plumbers license and expanded the business, his wife always at his side. As retirement approached, he turned the business over to his son, Mark, and still kept his hand in the business as a consultant. Fred was skilled at mechanics, was a handyman in every aspect of practical living, enjoyed the NASCAR races and rooted faithfully for the Buffalo Bills. He was a faithful husband, father and grandfather, always with a great sense of humor. He was a member of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church since 1968, serving as a trustee. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday January 7, in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. H. Wayne Eppehimer, pastor of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday January 6, in the funeral home. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday January 9, in the Nanticoke Valley Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, 1011 W. Third Street, Jamestown, NY 14701.