Marion Mills

Chronicle Staff

Published: Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

  Marion Howard Mills was born Oct. 15, 1925, in Maynard, Minn., to Samuel and Helma (Severhus) Mills. Marion attended school through the eighth grade. In later years he became an expert in hydraulics and also was the key inventor of the nylon bearing used in feed operations. He married Lela L. Tripp on July 4, 1949 in Montevideo, Minn.  Marion was a true master of electrical, hydraulics, engine and small engine repair. He owned and operated his own saw and Kawasaki motorcycle shop in Custer, S.D. He also co-owned, with his brother Glen, the Custer Sport Shop. Later he and Lela moved to Union, Ore., where he owned his own business of small engine and chain saw repair. Marion was a man born at least 100 years too late. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved and was thoroughly at home  in the outdoors. The more rustic and primitive, the more at home he was.  Marion was a self made man. Marion’s children and grandchildren were the center of his life, and now his proud legacy. Marion died Friday, March 13, 2009, at Custer Regional Senior Care in Custer. He was 83. Marion is survived by his wife, Lela of Hot Springs; two sons, Marlin H. (Dana) Mills and Michael H. Mills both of Union; three daughters, Gwen (Randy)  Stombaugh of  Buffalo Gap, S.D., Katheryn Lee Mills of Hot Springs, and Cynthia Kay (Doug) Keith of State College, Pa.;  five brothers, Glen (Babe) Mills of Great Falls, Mont., Darold (Marg) Mills of Benson, Minn., James (Jo) Mills of Oaklandon, Ind., Donald Mills of Ridge Crest, Calif., Dennis (Maria) Mills of  Merced, Calif.; three sisters, Maxine (Guy) Short of Tucson, Ariz., Sandra (Jim) Tyler of Chippewa Falls, Wis., and Sonora Golden of Appleton, Minn.; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Elmer H. Anderson; brother, Vernon Mills; nephew, Guy Tyler; niece, Karen Hemingson; brothers-in-law, Clifford Muenchow and William Tripp; and sister-in-law, Millicent (Robert) Coonen. Memorial services were March 18 at McColley’s Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs with Pastor William Russow officiating. In Lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to benefit Katheryn L. Mills. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.