Born on March 31, 1934, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Don Edgar Mill died in Sunbury, Ohio on October 23, 2024, aged 90 years young. He was born at the former Mercy Hospital to Edgar Leslie Mill and Dorothy Elizabeth (Kaylor) Mill, who predeceased him.
Don was quite the hellion as a young person and graduation from Mt. Vernon Senior High School in 1953 was in question until the last minute. As he would tell it, this was because he wasn't a stellar student, and he was bored. All he wanted to do was to get out of school and operate heavy equipment. He was known to skinny dip in Center Run, take neighbor kids for rides on construction equipment (starting at around age 12), and be delivered home by the sheriff at times. His British grandmother saved him from his father's wrath on many occasions. Acquiring his first motorcycle at around age 14, he loved anything with a motor that made noise. He claimed to have had no nicknames as a young person but had plenty later in life-none of them complimentary.
As a teenager, Don began working for the Shelly Company when his Dad was the company president. He started working out of town in the summer with road crews at age 16, which he claimed was an invaluable education. He loved the company, the people, and the work, and worked his way up the ladder to become president of the company, a position he held for 25 years. (He claimed to have been promoted because he was so bad at each position he held.) As president, Don grew the company, which at one time owned 19 separate companies with 55 asphalt plants, gravel & limestone plants, and tow boats on the Ohio River. During his tenure at the Shelly Company, he served two terms as president of Flexible Pavements, a trade association.
After retiring from the Shelly Company, Don and his wife, Joan, lived in Florida in the winter and Granville, Ohio, in the summer. While generally not fond of travel, one of Don's favorite trips was sailing across the Atlantic on the QE2 and flying home on the Concorde.
Predeceased by his wife, Joan Patricia (Wade) Mill, and younger brothers, Richard K Mill (and spouse, Barbara) and Thomas J Mill, he is survived by children, Denise Mill Parker (Craig) of Sunbury, Ohio; Christa Sue Trimner (John) of Mt. Perry, Ohio; and Douglas Edgar Mill (Sue) of Newark, Ohio. Step-daughters Kathy Bickel Duckwall of Mt. Vernon, Ohio; Deborah Bickel Clark (Gary) of Centerburg, Ohio; and Patricia Bickel Ackers (Thomas) of Nashport, Ohio, also survive.
Don is survived by a slew of grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Brian T Baker (Danielle) of Columbus, Ohio; Bradly E Baker (Amber) of Charleston, South Carolina; Geoffrey C Parker (Alexis) of Columbus, Ohio; Christopher J Parker of Cincinnati, Ohio; Nathaniel J Trimner (Mary Kay) of Blacklick, Ohio; Cassandra M Trimner Lynch (Heath) of Littleton, Colorado; Daniel R Trimner (Danielle) of Gahanna, Ohio; Nicholas D Mill (Sarah) of Gahanna, Ohio; Kayleigh N Mill of Wenatchee, Washington; Amy Duckwall Kerrigan (KC) of Poland, Ohio; Kati Duckwall Mauer (Andrew) of Ft. Bliss, Texas; Jamie Bickel Hartsough (Shawn) of Heath, Ohio; and Abbey Ackers of Bellville, Ohio. Step-grandchildren Ben Clark (Jessica) of Georgetown, Texas; Andy Clark (Lisa) of Littleton, Colorado; Abby Bender of Galena, Ohio; and Casey Clark (Teddy Stegner) of Columbus, Ohio, also survive. These 17 grandchildren have 28 great-grandchildren between them.
Don will be greatly missed by family and friends. The family would like to thank staff members at the Inn at Walnut Trail in Sunbury for their care during the five years Don was incarcerated there (his words). With him the entire time were special staff members Darlene and Molly (nickname: Squirrely), as well as his best friend and fellow resident, Tom. Meals at Big Walnut Grill in Sunbury were special when his favorite waitress, Holly, was working. Big Walnut Grill owner, Jon, and Don never missed a chance to tease each other.
Don's favorite department store was Amazon, as evidenced by his numerous shipments. The family's concern is that Amazon will go bankrupt with his demise!
At the request of Don, no service will be held.
The Newark Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta-Stickle Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements. www.hendersonvanatta.com/www.hendersonvanatta.com>
