Richard M. Mills

Richard "Dick" Melbourne Mills, 93, of Colerain, died July 24, 2017 after a period of declining health. Dick was predeceased by his wife Margaret (Peggy) Bunting Mills, the love of his life and by their son Joseph. He is survived by his sons Robert T. Mills (Elaine Ugolini) of Kennebunkport, Maine and John P. Mills (Lori) of Colerain; granddaughters Mary L. Scaletta (Kelly), Morganne Mills, and Madison Mills; grandsons Robert K. Mills (Jennifer) and Richard T. Mills (Lindsey); great-granddaughters Catherine O. Mills, Anna E. Mills, Alaina K. Mills, Alexis A.L. Hall, Audrianna E.L. Hall; great-grandsons Connor O. Mills and Easton S. Neudigate; former daughter-in-law Sarah K. Mills of Raleigh, NC.

Dick was born April 18, 1924, the son of the late George P. and Margaret Shryock Mills in Lexington, Kentucky. He grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After graduating high school from Taylor Allderdice in 1943, he entered US Army Air Force Basic Training being sent to Clemson, SC as an aviation cadet student. During 1944 at various bases he received training for the 22nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in radio maintenance, Morse code, camouflage, maneuvers, switch board operator. In early 1945 he embarked from California to Bombay, India. He was assigned to Headquarters Battery, 18th Airborne Anti-aircraft Battalion in Burma. After the Japanese surrender, he had various assignments in India, departed Calcutta for Seattle March 1946 and was honorably discharged April 5, 1946.

Dick then entered the University of Kentucky for a year, changing to the University of Pittsburgh where he graduated in 1950. He met and married Peggy February 23, 1952. Together they raised Bob and John. They enjoyed traveling and visiting grandchildren.

Visitation at Hodapp Funeral Home, 6041 Hamilton Ave., College Hill, Friday, July 28, from 6 p.m. until service at 8 p.m. Graveside service Saturday 11 a.m. at Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, KY.