John H. "Butch" Mills, of Mattoon, died on December 15, 2023 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital with his wife by his side after a short battle with cancer. He was 78 years old. He was born on December 1, 1945 in Mauston, a son of John and Bernice (Babcock) Mills. He married Michele Chitwood on August 15, 2009 in Sauk City.

He was a graduate of Wisconsin Heights High School in Mazomanie, class of 1963. John worked for Weyerhaeuser as a mechanical engineer for many years until his retirement. He was proud to have fostered over 50 children and having been a part of creating the Wisconsin legislative statute granting grandparents visitation rights.

John was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Birnamwood. He was also a member of the Wisconsin Pyrotechnics Arts Guild having him travel across the state training and setting off fireworks for large events. John was an outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Survivors include his wife, Michele Mills of Mattoon; five sons, John Troy Mills of Antigo, Matthew Mills of Tucson, Arizona, Tyler Mills of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Trinity Hansen of Tucson, Arizona, and Johnathan (Nicole) Chitwood of Green Bay; two daughters, Amy Hansen of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, and Amanda (Corey) Zarda of Mattoon; eight grandchildren, Tiffany (Jeremy) Muthig, Little John Mills, Dakotta (Keely) Mills, Kaiden Schlick, Hailey, Tanner, Janay, and Jalen Hansen; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Jean Hetzel, Ellen Anderson, Rose Hutchinson, and Mary Pasholk; brothers, Billie, John and Fredrick Mills; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Linda Mills; sister, Brenda Jones; and brother, Stephen Mills.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Mattoon Community Hall 617 4th Street, Mattoon, Wisconsin 54450.

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