Donald Ward Mills

Pocatello- Donald Ward Mills, 81, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2013 at his home surrounded my his loving family.

He was born March 20, 1932, the son of Ward Alfonzo and Thelma Melissa Dille Mills in Shoshone, Idaho. He attended school at the Gomes country school near Shoshone from 1st grade through 8th grade where one teacher taught all grades. He then attended Shoshone High School where he played football as a guard on offence and a line backer on defense. Donald grew up with his siblings, Virginia, Jeanetta and Jack. Donald dated Mary Zoe Hollibaugh in high school.

He went to work for the Pacific Fruit Express (PFE) and then joined the United States Air Force in April 1951. He went to communications machine repairman school in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 1952, he was sent to Japan as the Korean War was on. He served as a repairman for a mobile squadron unit. When the war was over, he returned to March Air Force Base in California and then to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he was discharged in April 1955. He went on to receive his GED.

On January 23, 1956, he married Mary Zoe Hollibaugh in Twin Falls, Idaho. Mary passed away February 20, 1996. Donald returned to work at the PFE as they held his job while he was in the U.S. Air Force. They moved to Pocatello in 1956 where he continued his work with the PFE later the Union Pacific Fruit Express. He attended Idaho State University VO-Tech and received his certification as a Refrigeration Technician and went on to work for the UPFE for a total of 30 years.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing (when he was young), camping (as he was always designated the cook) and horse races. He loved gardening and had a huge garden. He enjoyed sharing the produce with others and helped his wife with the home canning. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He survived by 2 sons, David E. Mills, Pocatello, Idaho; Donald V. (Diana) Mills, Pocatello, Idaho; 3 daughters, Wanda M. (Greg) Holbrook, Roseburg, Oregon; Donna Kay (John) Davis, Rigby, Idaho; Kathy M. Mills, Pocatello, Idaho; daughter-in-law, Barbara Mills, Pocatello, Idaho; 2 brothers, Arthur (Bobbi) Mills, Pocatello, Idaho; Kip Mills, Blackfoot, Idaho; 2 sisters, Jeanetta Knowles, Shoshone, Idaho; Sandra Aggler, Pocatello, Idaho; 11 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Mike, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave., with Rev. Jim Jones, of the Blazing Grace Church, officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening May 1, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel and on Thursday one hour prior to services.

Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens with Military rites provided by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel.