Obituary for
Charles Edward Mills
Charles Edward Mills
Feb. 25, 1943 - March 15, 2017
Charles “Chuck” Edward Mills was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Feb. 25, 1943, the son of Charles Emerson and Allene Macdonald (Moore) Mills. Mills grew up on the campus of Lincoln Christian College, an institution co-founded by his father located in Lincoln, Illinois. Mills graduated from Lincoln Community High School in 1961 and pursued his education at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary.
Mills served as a pastor for the West Point Illinois Christian Church while in college, as youth minister for Wood River, Illinois, Church of Christ and as pastor for the Christian Church in Griggsville, Illinois.
In 1968 Mills became affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America as a District Scout Executive for rural Adams and Hancock County and then the district serving Quincy, Illinois. Mills then served the Elkhart County, Indiana, district for seven years before being transferred to Evansville, Indiana, to serve as development director. During this period, Mills developed the first product sales program adopted by Boy Scout councils and then for seven years traveled extensively helping Scout councils to raise funds utilizing product sales.
Mills then traveled extensively to find the area of the country to live by choice and fell in love with the northwest. He located in initially in Anacortes, Washington, and then accepted a position as Boy Scout District Executive in Portland where he served for three years before being transferred to serve the district in Linn County. Mills served in Calapooia District in Linn County for 11 years, where he retired in 2005.
Mills passed away on March 15, 2017. He is survived by one daughter, Lisel Tate-Vonduyke of Thornton, Colorado; five grandchildren; sister, Joanne Sargent of Lebanon, OR and seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Quinton Von Duyke and sister Charlene Ricca.
Mills loved Scouting and was dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people and families through the Scouting experience. In his words, he believed that “If we share in the dreams and adventures of youth, no matter how challenging those adventures may be, we may have the credibility with young people to help them develop the values that will direct them well down the paths of life. Chief in my concern was that they develop a knowledge and relationship with our Creator and Heavenly Father. I have put my trust in Him.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Boy Scouts of America, Cascade Pacific Council, PO Box 218, Albany, OR 97321. Farnstrom Mortuary is handling arrangements. Memories and condolences at FarnstromMortuary.com.
