NORWAY — Donald H. Mills, 91, of Buckfield, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 11, with his family by his side.

Don was born in Poland, March 22, 1920, the son of Guy V. Mills and Gertrude Meserve Mills. He attended school in Poland and graduated with 5th honors from Mechanic Falls High School, Class of 1938.

Don worked at the Poland Spring Bottling Plant before serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, from which he was honorably discharged. He worked for Rogers Fiber Mill in Poland, as production manager until its closure in 1969, then the Colonial Board Co. in Bar Mills, until its closure in 1973. He retired from Pathways, Inc. in Auburn, as plant manager in 1984. He then drove school bus for Harry Busch, in the town of Poland for six years.

Don was a long-standing member of the Minot Corner Methodist Church, holding several offices, with his favorite as the church historian, writing the church’s history for its 100th anniversary, which inspired him to research and write the history of 32 other local small churches. Many were published in the Lewiston Daily Sun while he was a freelance photographer and writer for the newspaper in the 1960s.

Don loved and enjoyed his family, gardening, chair caning and refinishing furniture.

Don is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 65 ½ years, June Kilgore Mills; daughter, Pamela Groff of Rumford; his beloved grandson, Craig Gauthier of Fort Polk, La.; daughter, Donna Hinkley and her husband, Albert, of Howland; his beloved granddaughter, Starla Hillier and her husband, Gary, of Oromocto, N.B.; great-grandson, Aaron; his stepgrandson, Gordon Hinkley and his wife, Misty, of Winn; great-granddaughter, Kaydence; and stepgrandson, Scott Hinkley of Lee.

He was predeceased by his siblings, Robert, James and a baby girl.

A special thank-you to all the doctors, nurses and CNA’s, who took such special care of Don while at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.