Harold C. Mills

Harold C. Mills, 98, a lifetime Albion resident, went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday morning, May 28, 2023.

Harold was born on September 25, 1924 in Detroit to Glenn and Ethel (Mack) Mills.   The Mills family moved to Albion in 1929 from Detroit. 

He was a graduate of Albion Washington Gardner High School in 1944.   As many other members of the Greatest Generation, Harold enlisted in the U.S. Navy April 26, 1944.  He trained at Great Lakes and then served on both the USS Houston and then USS Providence CL 82.  He was awarded the American Area Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon with 3 Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Stars and the World War 2 Victory Medal.

After returning home from WW2, Harold strolled into his favorite downtown Albion restaurant, Hamburger Haven, with a buddy. They struck up a conversation with Ruth and her sister Beulah. They needed a ride home, so Harold gladly provided that, recognizing a classy lady when he met one! Ruth felt the same way, breaking off a date with her boyfriend! The couple dated, fell in love (and stayed in love for over 71 years!) and were married on September 26, 1948 at the parsonage of the First Baptist Church in Albion.  He was a member of the church the rest of his life.

Harold worked with his father and his brothers at the Mills' family business in Albion, the GEM Dairy where they sold milk, eggs, dairy products and ice cream creations for Albion residents. 

In 1958 Harold went to work for the United States Postal Service in Albion as a letter carrier, which made him a reliable and familiar figure on his mail route for many years in Albion.  The GEM Dairy was sold by the family in 1959.  Harold served the community’s postal needs for 31 years retiring in 1990.  After that he assisted his son Doug with funerals at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home in Marshall for many years. 

Harold and Ruth loved to dance together for many years. Most of all they loved being with each other. A ride in the car together around the Albion community every evening was a tradition for many years, right up until just before her passing. The family has hardly a picture of Ruth (or Harold) alone, they were always in any picture together which well represents their lifelong passion for each other.  Ruth preceded Harold in death on September 9, 2019.

He was a dedicated and faithful member of First Baptist in Albion where he had served as Treasurer.  He was an active member of the Albion American Legion Post #55 and Albion Veterans of Foreign Wars.    Harold was honored by being appointed as a Grand Marshal of the Albion Memorial Day Parade in 2019.  Harold was also honored by the Albion High School Alumni Association as a Distinguished Alumni in August of 2016.  Harold volunteered at Red Cross Blood Drives for many years in Albion.

In Harold’s youth he was active in sports.  He played fast pitch softball in several leagues with his brothers.  Fuzzy was known for his strong arm and speed on the field and in the base paths.  He loved to golf and did so until recently in his life.  On September 5 of 2013 Harold shot an 83 for 18 holes at Cedar Farm’s Golf Course while playing with his son Doug! 

Harold was honored as Citizen Of The Day on his birthday in 2022 for the city of Vista, California!  More proof he was well thought of far and wide!

Harold leaves his family, sons Harold L. "Harry" (Linda) Mills of Jackson and Douglas E. (Brenda) Mills of Marshall and daughter Carol Ann (Traci Ritter) Mills of Lansing; 7 grandchildren, Sarah, Jennifer, Rebecca, Emily, Sherra, Erin and Jared; 7 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews to remember and carry on his legacy.

Besides his beloved Ruth he was preceded in death by his brothers, Glenn Mills as an infant, Paul E. Mills in 2008, Jack L. Mills in 2010 and Melvin Mills in 2016.

Friends may call at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US HWY 27 N. on Thursday from 6PM to 8PM when the family will be present to receive friends.

Visitation will begin on Friday at 10AM at First Baptist Church in Albion where funeral services will be held at 11AM with Rev. Tom Hollowood officiating. 

Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Albion next to his wife Ruth with Military Honors afforded by the U.S. Navy.

The family suggest memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church of Albion or the Albion American Legion Post #55.

To leave a condolence for the family please visit https://kempffuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.