Howard Mills, Jr.

Howard Mills, age 87, died on September 14, 2016. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, as well as an innovative chemical engineer and a man who enjoyed life to the fullest. Howard was the loving husband of Wilda Dunlop-Mills, with whom he enjoyed an adventurous and loving 13 years. He was the loving husband of Carol B. Mills (nee Smith) for more than 50 years until her death. Howard served in the U.S. Army from June 30, 1947 until December 3, 1948. Howard was born May 1, 1929 in Swampscott, Massachusetts, son of the late Howard and Beatrice Mills of Lynn, Massachusetts and brother of the late Lois Mills French. He was a graduate of Lynn English High School (1946) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1952, Tau Beta Phi). In 1952, Howard married Carol, and over the next 14 years they had three sons. Howard and Carol were a highly recognized and awarded couple for their forty year collaboration in Ohio community theatre. Howard was the loving father of Douglas (Beverly Faxon), Lawrence (Cynthia), and Evan (Linnea Eschenlohr). He was the devoted grandfather of Maggie Segneri (nee Mills) (Ian), Jesse Faxon-Mills, Susannah Faxon-Mills (Rob), Jackson Mills, and Austin Mills, and great-grandfather of Colton, Ellaina and Jackson Segneri; Kalie, Adriana and Jacob Dunlop; and Liam and Everett Cripe. Howard was the loving step father of James Dunlop (Sue), Ann Dunlop, and Martha Amongero (nee Dunlop) and step grandfather of Adam Dunlop, Benjamin Cripe (Elizabeth Dulaney), and Lauren, Sonja, Nicolas, Anthony, and Joshua Amongero. He was predeceased by son-in-law Marcos Amongero. Howard was employed as a Chemical Engineer by Procter & Gamble for 35 years. He was key in the development of Zest, Amine oxide (detergent for liquids), Film sulfation, no phosphate Tide, and the Liquid Tide self draining cap. He was active at the Forest Chapel Methodist Church from 1958 to 2002 as Sunday School Teacher and Boy Scout leader. Howard’s interests included traveling, theater set design, boating, sculpture and sports. He had a boundless curiosity and a lifelong commitment to the value of education, and he delighted in the natural world. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross, the Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation (Carol B. Mills Scholarship), and Boy Scouts of America. A private interment will be at Oak Hills Cemetery. A memorial service is planned for a later date.