CHARLES F. MILLS

Charles Frederick Mills, Cape Girardeau's fire chief for 10 years, died Saturday, Nov. 11, 1995. He was 74.

Mills served as fire chief from 1975 to 1985. He started his career with the fire department in 1949.

At his retirement in 1985, Mills received a plaque from the Cape Girardeau County Commission for 36 years of service to the citizens of Cape Girardeau County for fire prevention, search, rescue, extrication, hazardous controls, disaster operation and emergency preparedness. He also received the Missouri Association of Mutual Insurance Companies' award for Outstanding Service in Fire Prevention.

He was born March 1, 1921, in Cape Girardeau, son of Walter W. and Amy May Buster Mills.

On Sept. 5, 1946, he married Jerlene BeCraft at Bloomfield. She survives.

He is also survived by his mother, Amy Mills Haman of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Leslie Kay Welker of Cape Girardeau; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

During World War II, he served in the Navy and was stationed aboard the USS Pennsylvania during the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

He was a member of VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau and the First Free Will Baptist Church.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Wesley Rider officiating. Burial will be at Fairmount Cemetery, with military rites conducted by VFW Post 3838.