Philip James "Jim" MILLS

Philip James “Jim”  Mills passed away peacefully on December 22nd , 2018 with family by his side, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Jim was born January 16, 1926 at Macklin, SK, to parents Fred & Margaret and attended elementary and high school in Evesham, SK.

In 1947, Jim moved to Elrose where he was employed at the Elrose Hardware until 1950.  From 1950-1953, he was employed with the Massey-Harris dealership in Elrose. In 1953, he purchased the John Deere dealership which he operated until 1970. He purchased Hunt Graber Agencies Insurance and Real Estate Business in 1967, which then became Mills Agencies Ltd.

In 1949, Jim met Lil Frost of Prince Albert while she was working at the Elrose Hotel Café. They were married in Prince Albert on February 4, 1950. They made Elrose their home raising three daughters: Bev, Karen, and Patti.

Jim has been actively involved in both community and provincial affairs.  In 1959, he was elected town councillor, a position he held until 1963 when he was elected mayor for the Town of Elrose. He held this position until 1992. He decided to retire as mayor but that was short-lived as he was re-elected in 1994 and held this position until 2006, a total of 41 years. He was chairman of the Elrose Union Hospital Board, Vice-Chairman of the Kyle Credit Union Board, Commissioner of the Provincial Public Service Commission, Director of Sask Insurance Agents Association, Chairman of the Fire District Committee, Charter member of the Elrose Lions Club, District Governor, Past Council Chairman, and Life Member of Lions International Association.

Jim was an original board member as well as Construction Finance Chairman for the Elrose Uniplex and was a past trustee of the University Hospital Board of Governors in Saskatoon. The Saskatchewan Association of Urban Municipalities also enrolled Jim as an Honourary Life Member. He was appointed to the SGI Board of Directors in 1994. He was very active in the Elrose United Church. He enjoyed all the activities at the Uniplex and spent many evenings selling tickets for senior hockey games. Most importantly, Jim’s family always came first. They spent a lot of time at Clearwater Lake where he taught his girls the knack of skiing and boating. Jim was an ump, and a referee. Whatever his daughters were involved in, he was there.

He was predeceased by his wife Lil Mills on October 15, 2000, an infant daughter in July 1956, and son-in-law Raymond Kehrig, February 17, 2001, by his parents, Fred & Margaret Mills, brothers Herb, Arnett, Lawrence, Lloyd and sister Elsie MacLeod, sisters-in-law Myrtle, Phyllis, Pete, Eva, and brother-in-law Neil MacLeod. He is survived by his daughters Bev Kehrig and her children Ryan Kehrig (Heather) Carter, Levi and Jasper, Camille Kehrig, Rachel Kehrig (Brendan Fowler), Cole Kehrig (Taylor Quest); Karen Sander (Scott) and their children Cody Sander (Kyle, Zac and Nolan); Janelle Kapeller (Dallas) Charlee, Allee, Bree and Denton, Chelsea Christman (Cody) and Colten Sander (Jane) and Zoey; Patti Mills-Smith (Drew) and their children Bradi Rowley (Mitch), Taylor Smith (Dustin Bezugly) and Brooke Smith (Walker Doetzel), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family extends their sincere appreciation to the Elrose Health Centre who shared the last chapter of Jim’s life with their care and attention to his needs.

The celebration of Jim’s life was held on Sunday, December 30th at 1:00 pm in the Elrose Memorial Hall with Reverend Jim MacNaughton officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Elrose Uniplex will be gratefully received.