John D. Mills

John D. Mills, 95, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away on March 12, 2026, at Linda E. White Hospice House.

Born on May 3, 1930, in Morganfield, Kentucky, to John V. and Thelma K. (Mattingly) Mills, John attended Memorial High School before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17. He completed boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, served aboard the USS Albany, and in 1950 was deployed to Korea. He landed at Inchon in September with Hotel Company, where his machine gun section played a critical role in holding Toktong Pass open during the withdrawal of American troops from Chinese encirclement. John was wounded by four bullets and suffered severe frostbite during the campaign. After 15 months of surgery and rehabilitation, he was discharged and returned to Southern Indiana.

In 1953, John married the love of his life, Dorothy Lee “Dottie” McCord, whom he affectionately called “The Queen.” Together they raised five children and delighted in the arrival of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. John worked as an automotive technician for 42 years. He remained deeply committed to the Marine Corps through his longtime volunteering with Toys for Tots and his dedicated service in the Evansville Marine Corps League, where he helped provide military honors for fellow Marines. He was also a member of the VFW #1114, AmVets, and St. Theresa Catholic Church.

Above all, John will be remembered as a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend, and Marine. He is survived by his children Vicki Hagan, Cindy Carr (Randy), Sherri Mills (Bryan Hefferan), Shannon Brown (Daryll), and Mac Mills (Shirley); grandchildren Eric Hagan (Jenny), Aaron Hagan, Kirsten Carr, McKensie Carr (Tom Wilkins), Kari Shelton, Jon Mills (Ashley), Angie Bashore, Jordan Thomas, Taylor Thomas, and Dalton Thomas (Charlye); great-grandchildren Hannah Hagan, Austin Hagan, Ian Carr, Liam Wyatt, Brittany Shelton, Jacob Shelton, Javier Salinas, Ashton Salinas, and Maxwell Jewell; and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, his parents, and his son-in-law Buck Hagan.