With deepest sadness, the family of John Francis Mills, of Stenen, SK, announce his passing on December 22, 2022, at the Preeceville Hospital at the age of 65.
John was born to John Ralph and Doreen Frances Mills on July 4, 1957, the eldest of eight children.
John started working at the age of 17 in the concrete business, followed by CN Rail where he worked from Saskatchewan to Ontario. He also worked logging and the Hudson Bay Fireline in 1980. John moved to Alberta in 1980 where he worked in the oilpatch. From 1984-1992, he worked at Nakiska-Kananaskis building ski hills for the 1988 Calgary Olympics operating heavy equipment. John’s later years were spent trucking driving in Canada and the USA.
In 1980 John and Vicky (Pratt) married and moved to Alberta where they bought their first home and welcomed their child, J.R. Mills in 1989.
In 2009, John and Vicky moved back to Saskatchewan where John worked for the RM of Clayton and Southland Logging.
For the last few years, he enjoyed camping, fishing at McBride Lake, and gardening. He was very proud to produce bumper crops of garlic, onions and tiger lilies. Many hours were spent on his knees pulling weeds, and digging dandelions.
When mobility slowed him down, he was lucky to get a three wheeled scooter to ride around the yard and visit local neighbors.
John is predeceased by his mother, Doreen; brothers, Gerald and David; and his brother-in-law, Jim.
He is survived by his father, Ralph; wife, Vicky; children, J.R. (Chris), and Katie (Dan); sister, Lorene Mills; brothers, Tim (Adeline), James (Jill), Scot (Karen), and Gordon; and his sisters-in-law, Carla and Kathy.
John requested that those wishing to make memorial donations to make them to Telemiracle 2023, Kinsmen Foundation Inc., 2217C, Hanselman Court, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7L 6A8, https://telemiracle.com/
Arrangement have been entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.