Rolla Mills

Rolla Dale Mills passed away on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at the Eastridge Care Home in Centralia, KS. He was born December 23, 1918 at the farm home 5 � miles south of Corning near the America City community. He was one of six children born to Frank L. and Opal (Seymour) Mills.

Rolla attended Corning grade and high school with the exception of seventh and eighth grades, when he attended a country school.

After graduation, he worked at a local lumber yard and a lumber company in Arkansas until being drafted into the US Army in March of 1941. He served in Australia and New Guinea in the Corps of Engineers for over 2 � years. Upon returning stateside, he was assigned to the Signal Corps, where he studied Japanese code at UCLA; after which he was moved to Arlington, VA where he was assigned to the Intelligence Division until his discharge in September of 1945.

Rolla was married to Elva Mae Derr in Topeka, KS on June 17, 1945. To this union were born five children. They lived on the farm of Roy Ingalls of Goff until moving to their home, south of Centralia in March of 1951. She preceded him in death.

Rolla is survived by three sons, whom all received their degrees from 4 year, state colleges; Alan of Peralta, NM, Earl of Holton, KS, and Lyle of Wellsville, KS; one brother, Edson F. of Lawrence, KS; 5 Grandchildren, 13 Great-Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, loving wife, Elva; one infant brother; three sisters, son, Glen Lee who was killed while inspecting a power plant as an engineer in Hattiesburg, MS, and an infant daughter, Gail Marie.

Rolla was a member of the American Legion Post #216 and the United Methodist Church both of Centralia.

Graveside services were held 11:30A.M. Monday, October 8, 2007 at the Centralia Cemetery.

Full Military Honors were conducted by the Armstrong-Moyer American Legion Post #216 of Centralia and the Fort Leavenworth Honor Detail.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Centralia Volunteer Fire Dept. or Centralia EMT's in care of the Hayes-Popkess Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be left at www.popkessmortuaries.com