- Date Of Birth: July 13, 1934
- Date Of Death: March 29, 2017
- State: Illinois
John H. Van Mill, 82, of Ottawa, died on Wednesday night, March 29, 2017, at his home, surrounded by his family. John was born on July 13, 1934, in Rapid River, MI to Henry and Capitola (Menard) Van Mill.
He was a veteran of the US Air Force as a jet engine mechanic and part of the Air Rescue Service in the Korean War, spent several additional years working through government contract jobs and continued as a member of the American Legion. He demonstrated extreme dedication and dependability for over 42 years as a 1st Class Maintenance Mechanic with the Big ‘G’ of West Chicago, the city where he also met and later married Pamela DeGrave on March 27, 1976. He continued to display the meaning of true love and passion for the family through extreme sacrifice and generosity. John loved listening to and collecting ‘old country’ music and sharing memories, beers, and laughs with friends and family. He loved taking trips back home to northern Michigan over Thanksgiving – catching up and playing some poker in the ‘back forty’. Summer trips to Minnesota were a ritual for spending time on the lake and at his favorite hide-a-way, Harriet’s, where friends would later spot his big, red truck and stop in just to see him. John loved to talk and was well known for being able to spark a conversation with just about anyone and anywhere.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela, 5 children, Sandra (Tracy Hinkston) Van Mill, of Ottawa, Randall (Ashley) Van Mill, of Ottawa, Linda (Steve) Bridgeforth, of Texas, and Eloisa Van Mill, of Columbia, Curtis Van Mill, of California, 8 grandchildren, Kapitola, Skylar, and Trevor, Lexi and Brayden, Jesse and Ashley, Kimberly, a great-grandson, Colton, a sister, Patsy (Gene) Specht, of California, a brother, Lawrence (Kay) Van Mill, of Florida, 3 stepbrothers, Donald, Dale, and Harland Couillard, and 2 step sisters Florence Kalishek and Gladys Krokstead.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Prudence, stepbrother, Henry, and a sister in infancy.
