Harry J. Mills (1892-1949)

MILLS, KERSEY

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/22/2020 at 22:11:20

From Nevada Evening Journal February 16, 1949 (page 3)

Military Service For Harry Mills Held Friday

Last rites for Harry Mills, 1236 Fourth street, who passed away suddenly while in Ames Tuesday Feb. 9, were held from the First Methodist church in Nevada Friday afternoon with Reverend O. E. Cooley officiating.

The church was filled with sorrowing relatives and friends. The many beautiful floral pieces, which surrounded the flag covered the casket bespoke the high regard in which the deceased was held. The flowers were arranged by Mrs. W. L. Lawhorn, Mrs. Kenneth Kinsey, Mrs. Oscar Hall and Mrs. Claude Moran.

Fred McLain sang "Have Thine Own Way Lord" and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere." Mrs. Norman C. Dobson was at the organ.

The pall bearers were Karl Cessna, John Cessford, Bob Lattig, Wm. Neeld, Ralph Severson and Richard Couser.

The Nevada Firemen, American Legion, and 40 et 8, attended the funeral service in a body.

Following the services at the church a military graveside service was conducted by Voiture No. 285, 40 et 8, a branch of the American Legion of which the deceased was a member.

The folding of the flag and the firing squad was in charge of members of the same organization from Nevada and Ames. "Taps" were sounded by Bill Tipton.

Obituary

Harry Mills, who had served Story county as an efficient law enforcement officer, and has served Nevada as fireman for 25 years part of which time as assistant chief, was born near Ames, Feb 1, 1892, a son of William and Addie Mills.

He served his country during World War I with the 212 Engineers.

On Feb. 25, 1920 he was married to Miss Veva Kersey at Boone and following their marriage established their home in Nevada. Previous to coming to Nevada Mr. Mills was employed as mechanic at the Robeson garage in Ames.

Harry served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff John Hattery, Vern Lynch and C. V. McGriff. He was on duty with the latter when he was killed Oct. 20, 1941 while making an arrest west of Ames, and at that time was shot in the leg. On his recovery from this injury he served as Sheriff of Story county until January 1943.

With Implement Co.

In recent years Mr. Mills was employed as mechanic for the Nevada Implement company in Nevada. He had spent a few weeks in the U. S. Veterans hospital in Des Moines shortly before his sudden death on Tuesday, Feb. 9 which came as a shock to the community.

During his 29 years of residence in Nevada, Harry Mills was an exemplification of fine citizenship. He was ever ready to do his share in all county and community affairs, and his record is an honorable one.

He is survived by his wife Veva and by two sisters, Sadie and Marie Mills of Ames. He also leaves other relatives and a host of friends.

From Out of Town.

Among those who were here from a distance in attendance at the funeral were Mrs. Nellie Lubbers of Omaha, Neb., Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kersey, George Kersey, and Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Grove of Des Moines and Lee Hutchinson in addition to many from Ames and elsewhere in the county.