James Edward Mills (Jim), a resident of Cross Keys Village – the Brethren Home Community, New Oxford, PA, passed away early in the morning of Saturday. May 3, 2025.
Born on February 25, 1941, Jim was 84 years old. He played basketball at Greencastle-Antrim High School from which he graduated with the class of 1958.
After graduation, Jim attended Thompson Institute in Harrisburg and worked at Baker’s Shoe Store. In 1963, he began working as a “pageboy” In the House of Representatives at the State Capitol. He worked for 40 years in the House, serving four different Republican Representatives, including Speaker K. B. Lee, from the 111th District as a Legislative Assistant and Motor Licensing Specialist.
Following retirement, Jim became an active volunteer with PAWS, a spay/neuter organization which served the counties in southcentral Pennsylvania. He coordinated the spay/neuter program and worked diligently to raise funds for the organization tor 12 years.
Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marian French Mills, his brother, Michael Koons (Wanda), two nephews and one grandnephew, one niece and two grandnieces, and his one remaining cat, Ben. He was predeceased by his mother, Loretta Koons Mills, his maternal grandparents, Annie Harnish Koons and Frank Koons, a baby brother, Bobby Mills, aunts, Annabelle Gates and Estelle Werdebaugh, one uncle, John Koons, and eleven cats, of whom the most special to him were Demelza and Ezra Keith.
Jim liked to play cards, especially 500 bid, and he watched college and professional sports of all kinds, especially football, basketball, and baseball. He was a long-time fan of the New York Yankees. He and Marian attended many live concerts and Broadway shows and they had a huge collection of records, CDs, and DVDs. He especially enjoyed song and dance shows. His favorite performer was Cher, and as a retirement gift, his colleagues in the Motor Licensing Unit gave him tickets to see her at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Inurnment will be in Parklawns Memorial Gardens in Chambersburg. There will be no services.
Memorial contributions may be made to Forever Love Rescue, 39 Queen Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325 or to the Unwanted Feral Cat Sanctuary, 1418 North Lakemont Drive, Cocoa, FL 32922.
Professional services entrusted to the Harold M. Zimmerman Funeral Home, Greencastle. PA.
Online condolences may be offered on Jim’s page at the funeral home’s website.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James E. “Jim” Mills, please visit the flower store.
