Gilbert C. Mills died on February 16, 2021, at his lifelong home, the Wilderness Plantation, in the Plains Community of Zachary, LA. He was the last of the family to be born and the last to die in the Mills family home. He was born on January 4, 1926, and was 95 years old at his death. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His life was devoted to his family and the church. He was a longstanding member of the Plains Presbyterian Church where he served as a Sunday School teacher, Youth Group leader, and Ruling Elder. He served his country for 2 years active duty in the 601st Tactical Control Squadron as a radio/radar repairman in the Army Air Force during WWII in France & Germany and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. He served in the Air Force Reserve for another 16 years attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Gilbert grew up farming and returned to it upon the conclusion of his active duty service by opening a dairy farm operation supplying milk to Kleinpeter’s Creamery for over 40 years. He was co-founder and organizer of the Tri-Parish Co-Op in Slaughter, LA and served on the board for 59 years; 56 of which were spent as President-- which represents the longest tenure served to-date by any board member. He was also a member of the Guernsey Cattlemen’s Association and served on the Board of Directors of the East Baton Rouge Parish Farm Bureau. Gilbert was also involved in the Prison Ministry at the Angola State Penitentiary and the Jetson Reform School where he shared the Good News of the Gospel with the inmates and residents for over 10 years.
Visitation will be held at the Plains Presbyterian Church, located at 22929 Hwy 964, in Zachary, LA on Monday, February 22nd from 5-7PM and Tuesday, February 23rd from 9-11AM with a service conducted by Rev. Campbell Silman at 11AM. A graveside service immediately following at Young Family Cemetery on Plains Port Hudson Rd. He is survived by his sister, Jane Burk; son, Gilbert C. Mills, Jr., and daughter-in-law, Patricia Mills; daughter, Beryl M. Beier, and son-in-law Daniel A. Beier, Sr.; grandchildren, Brooke K. Mills, Ty R. Hallmark, Michael B. Croft, Ashley Croft Luker, Laura Anne Beier Staggs, Daniel A. Beier, Jr., and Elise Beier Von Rosenberg; and great-grandchildren, Austin, Ethan, Anne, Jacob, Chase, Maddie, Levi and Luke.
Pallbearers will be: Daniel A. Beier, Sr., Daniel A. Beier, Jr., David P. Mills, Michael B. Croft, and Gabriel Von Rosenberg, and Neil Stone. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Wilmer R. Mills, Shannon ‘Bud’ Mills, Jr., Robert ‘Bob’ Mills, William ‘Jack’ Burk and Brandon Macchia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Plains Presbyterian Church, Young Family Cemetery, or Hospice of Baton Rouge. The family gratefully acknowledges the care given by Emily Hampton and Yvonne Matthews. .