Eugene L. Mills

Eugene L. "Gene" Mills, 88, of Burlington, IA, passed away Sunday, May 29, 2016, at the Burlington Care Center in Burlington, IA.Visitation will begin after 12 noon on Friday, June 3, 2016, at Olson~Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. that evening. Following visitation cremation will be accorded. Graveside services will be held on Monday, June 6, 2016, at Cedar Creek Cemetery, north of Salem, IA, at 1:30 p.m., with Pastor Aaron Helterbran officiating. Memorials may be given to the family for the purchase of a monument. Born July 14, 1927, in rural Mt. Pleasant, IA, Eugene Lester was the son of Chester J. and Leora Riley Mills. He was educated at Maple Grove rural school. Gene served in the Iowa National Guard. On May 15, 1957, he married Audrey Cheney in Quincy, IL and later divorced. He married Kathy Berger on January 7, 1968 in Tacoma, WA. The couple later divorced. On September 1, 1988, Gene married Bonnie McMahn in Memphis, MO. She preceded him in death on March 26, 1994. Gene was an avid fisherman. A talented musician, his true passion was for music. Gene had his own band and did a great deal of performing across the United States and Canada. He often performed for soldiers on the military bases. Gene wrote country western songs such as "Yodeling Chime Bells", "Checkerboard Love", and "Emotions" which made the country western charts and for one month in 1967 was the number one song in the Bill Board Magazine. He had the opportunity to perform with such notables as Johnny Cash, Marvin Rainwater, Patsy Cline, Johnny Paycheck, Crystal Gayle, Ray Pillow, Earl Daniel Hyde, Hank Williams, Conway Twitty, Leroy Van Dyke, and Faron Young. Survivors include a daughter, Susan D. Mills of Santa Clarita, CA; a son, Christopher E. Mills of Reno, NV; a brother, R. Dean (Sue) Mills of Columbia, MO; and two sisters-in-law, Janet Mills of Mt. Pleasant, IA and Dorothy Mills of Salem, IA. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Steven, Raina, Kristin, and Jacqueline. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, M. Leo and Jerry D. Mills; and a special friend, Pamela Harvey. Visitation JUN 3. 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel 709 Mapleleaf Drive Mt Pleasant, IA, US, 52641 olsonpowell@lisco.com Family will be present JUN 3. 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel 709 Mapleleaf Drive Mt Pleasant, IA, US, 52641 olsonpowell@lisco.com Graveside Service JUN 6. 01:30 PM Cedar Creek Cemetery Near Oakland Mills Mt. Pleasant, IA, US, 52641