Charles T. Mills

Charles T. Mills, 86, of Viroqua died Sunday, July 4, 2010. Charles Thomas Mills, age 86 of Nottingham Ridge, Viroqua, Wis. went peacefully to his eternal home July 4, 2010 at Vernon Memorial Hospital in Viroqua. He was born November 29, 1923 in Jefferson Township, Vernon County, Wis. on his parents farm, the son of Thomas and Katherine (Melvin) Mills. He attended and graduated from White Pigeon School. He enlisted in the Army and was a World War II veteran. He served in post-war Germany and Austria. He was united in marriage to Betty Marie Hoffland on December 3, 1947 in Winona, Minn. Together they shared over fifty loving years of marriage. Charles was the primary care giver for Betty. He lost her to terminal cancer July 25, 1998. Together he and Betty farmed for forty-four years. The last forty eight years he resided on Nottingham Ridge. Among his many interest, he loved to train, ride and drive horses. From a very early age, he worked with horses on his parents farm. In his later years he enjoyed his ponies, giving buggy rides or sleigh rides in the winter to family and friends. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. He was also involved with the Circle V Riders Club, V.F.W., D.V.A., and Tri-County Pony Caravan. Charles is survived by his daughter, Cathryn (Sam Dominello) of Long Beach, Calif.; three sons, David (Janet) of DeForest, Wis., Jeffery (fiance, Laurie Osthoff) of Viroqua, Wis. and Christopher (RoxiAnne) of Mauston, Wis.; ten grandchildren: Casandra Mills of Wittier, Calif., Cameron Batts (Sharifa), and Christina (Victor) Battle of Long Beach, Calif., Jessica (Paul) Nicholson of Soldiers Grove, Wis., Johanna Mills of Hoboken, NJ, Daniel Mills of Ship Bottom, NJ, Zachary Mills, Seth Mills, Hannah Mills, and Noah Mills of Mauston, Wis.; two sisters-in-law, Muriel Hoffland of Dodgeville, Wis. and Doris Iannitelli of Greenville, RI; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; father and mother; a son, Daniel Lee Mills; grandson, Caleb Joseph Mills; two brothers: George (Hazel) Mills, Scott (Thelma) Mills; two sisters: Etta (Iver) Espe and Willis (Francis) Ghelf; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: George (Esther) Hoffland, Grace (Kenneth) Gorman, Marcus Hoffland, Howard (Merl) Hoffland, Freda (Richard) Gorman, Angelo Iannitelli, Ruth (Carroll) Oliver, Robert Hoffland and Donald Hoffland; special friend, William Moffitt. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 9, 2010 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. The Rev. Lindsay Paul Jordan will officiate with burial in the Viroqua Cemetery with military rites. Friends may call on Thursday from 4-6 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker St. (Hwy 56) in Viroqua and at the church on Friday from 10:00 until the time of service. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family. Thank You, The family extends special thanks to all of Charles much loved nieces and nephews, who visited and phoned him, since the loss of his beloved wife, Betty. Our deepest gratitude to Laurie Osthoff for the devoted care she provided Charles, and Mary Ghelf for her love and attention. Our gratitude goes to Dr. Carol Dinges for her attentive care and concern for Charles and his family. We wish to thank the staff of Vernon Memorial Hospital for their compassionate service. "And we know that God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NIV)