Robert Westel 'Bob' Mills of LaFontaine, loving husband, father, grandpa, friend, WWII Veteran and humanitarian passed away at 11:10 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at Rolling Meadows Healthcare Center in LaFontaine. He was 90 years young.

Bob was born on April 7, 1920 in Fulton County, Indiana, the son of the late Robert Earl and Faye Myrtle (Beattie) Mills. Bob was a 1938 Graduate of Fulton High School and a 1940 Graduate of International Barber School in Indianapolis. On June 29, 1941, he married his wife and soul mate, Jeanne W. (Hopkins) Mills in the Baptist Church Parsonage in Fulton, Indiana, she survives.

Along with his wife, Jeanne, he is survived by a son, Robert Steven Mills (Joann) of Mishawaka; two daughters, Cathy Jo Preston of Wabash and Mrs. Rick (Julie) Bruggeman of Warsaw; six grandchildren, Rob Mills, Ame Jeanne Dittmann, Matthew Preston, David Preston, Mandy Bruggeman and Daniel Bruggeman; eleven great grandchildren; brother, James Mark Mills (JoEllen) of Hebron; sister, Mrs. Richard (Betty) Hocker of Niles, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters. 68 plus of Bob's 90 years were happily spent with his wife and family.
A proud Veteran of the United States Army and WWII, Bob was a member of the Blue Ridge 80th Division and later, the 106th Infantry Division (the Lion Division). A Tech Sergeant and platoon leader, he participated in the "Battle of the Bulge" where he became a prisoner of war and was a recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for Valor. After the war Bob and Jeanne moved to LaFontaine where, with the help of Tom Crumlee, Bob purchased the local barber shop. As the town barber from 1945-1968, he served the area as a business owner, communtiy member and friend. Later in his work life, Bob went to work for the U. S. Post Office, carrying the rural mail from 1968-1985. Bob was an active member of the LaFontaine community. He and Jeanne were members of the LaFontaine Christian Church where Bob served as Deacon, Treasurer and Board Member. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #295, he was a 32nd degree member of the Blue Lodge. He also served as President of the LaFontaine Lions Club, was a member of the Wabash VFW Post 286, Disabled Veteran of Foreign Wars, Wabash American Legion Post 15 and Prisoner of Wabash Group of Marion. Services will be 10 a.m. on Monday, May 17, 2010 at the McDonald Funeral Home, LaFontaine Chapel 104 S. Main Street, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940. Officiating the services will be Pastor Rick Smalling. Burial will be in the LaFontaine IOOF Cemetery in LaFontaine, Indiana. Visitation for family and friends will be from 2 p.m .until 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at the funeral home. Masonic Rites will be given at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Preferred memorials are to the LaFontaine Christian Church, 202 Bruner Pike, LaFontaine, Indiana 46940.