Paul B. Mills

Paul B. Mills, Jr., known by many as ?Poppy?, 85, of St. Joseph died Thursday, October 21, 2004 with his daughter Marilyn by his side. Mr. Mills was born June 22, 1919 in Greensboro, North Carolina, to Paul, Sr. and Addie (Chrisman) Mills. On June 9, 1945, Paul married Frances Proctor. Paul enlisted in the Navy in 1939 and spent 20 years proudly serving our country in the Navy. He served aboard many ships during World War II, and Pearl Harbor including the USS Omaha, where he served as Petty Officer Second Class, the USS Wyoming, the USS Rochester, and the USS Wright, where he served as Chief Petty Officer in charge of the fire rooms. After retiring from the Navy in 1959, he served his country locally with the Berrien County Sheriff?s Department as a Sheriff Deputy, then a Sergeant, then a Corporal Sergeant, then a Lieutenant, and then Captain. He retired from the Berrien County Sheriff?s Department in 1985. After retirement, Paul loved spending time on his boat and with his family. Friends may visit with the family from 2 to 5 p.m., with a Masonic service at 4:45 p.m., Sunday, October 24, 2004 at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, Michigan. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 25, 2004 at the funeral home. Burial will take place in North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma, Michigan with military rites at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude?s Children?s Hospital or Lake Michigan Catholic Schools. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Survivors include: one daughter?Marilyn Lomonaco of St. Joseph, one granddaughter?Michelle (Joshua) Slabiak of Cummings, Georgia; one great-grandson?Connor Slabiak of Cummings, Georga and one sister, Helen R. (Mills) Weaver of Greensboro, North Carolina. Mr. Mills was preceded in death by his wife, Frances L. Mills, who died February 13, 1989; a brother, Jack M. Mills who died in 1985, and a brother, David Mills who died in 1969, preceded Mr. Mills in death.