Thomas "Tom" William Mills

Thomas William Mills, age 96 of Markesan, formerly from Chicago, Illinois passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at Markesan Resident Home.

Tom was born on July 10, 1926, in Chicago Illinois, son of George and Esther (Stickson) Mills. He graduated from Steinmetz High School, where he participated in many athletic activities. Tom was a running back on the high school football team and once played in a city championship game in Soldier Field in Chicago. He also competed in youth boxing matches.  He joined the U.S. Marine Corps. and proudly served his country fighting in the Pacific theater of WW II from 1944 - 1945.  After the war, Tom graduated from Northwestern University. Tom was united in marriage to Barbara Pearson on April 23, 1949, at Nebo Lutheran Church in Chicago Illinois. Tom loved to communicate worldwide on the HAM radio that he built. W9UCF, “Uncle Charlie Fox”, was his call name. He enjoyed the outdoors, planting trees and collecting and working on vintage cars. Tom loved taking family vacations to the cottage on Big Green Lake and later purchased a farm and residence in the area and Barbara and Tom eventually made Markesan their home. Tom was a hardworking man; he was always there to help out his family and neighbors. Tom and his brother took over the family business, “Undertakers’ Gloves and Supply,” and after he retired, he passed the business on to his children, Mike and Dan, who continued their grandpa’s legacy.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Barbara Mills; six children, Mike (the late Pat) Mills, Pam (Scott) Reid, Debbie Mills, Lisa (Bill) Leahy, Tom Mills II and Dan (Antonella) Mills; nine grandchildren, Rachael, Thomas, Scott, Tom, Alex, Jack, Daniel, Michael and Tatiana; three great grandchildren, William, Elizabeth and Clark; further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Marion and Alice, and two brothers, Jim and George.