Donna R. Mills

Donna R. (Smith) Mills passed away peacefully after a long illness on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, with family by her side.

Donna was born on December 17, 1938, in Dover, Ohio, a daughter of the late Clifford Vaughn and Vera (Kollar) Smith. During her elementary through high school years, Donna and her three siblings experienced numerous adventures while living in various locations with their parents. Donna graduated from Dover High School in 1956. Shortly after, she married, started a family, and took on the roles of wife, mother, and homemaker.

After raising her three children, Joan, Wayne, and Joyce Rentsch, Donna embarked on her professional career. She worked as an office manager for several different employers. Donna also worked as a tailor, creating clothing and home décor items. She obtained her realtor’s license and commenced her journey in the real estate market.

Donna engaged in regular bowling activities, through which she met Raymond Mills, whom she married on September 20, 1990.They shared interests in bowling, traveling, attending grandchildren's events, reading, walking, hosting Donna’s out-of-town children, attending Dover Bible Church, and spending time with their puppies.

Donna enjoyed hobbies like knitting, cross-stitching, sewing, tailoring clothing and custom home decor. She loved growing violets and shared them with family and friends. She also loved baking, and her children's favorite treats were date cookies and butterscotch cookies. Donna cherished her "Girls' Days" with her sisters, Sarah and Diane. She was also devoted to reading her Bible, and delighted in memorizing Psalms, such as Psalm 23, which was her favorite.

Donna is survived by her children, Joan Rentsch, Wayne Rentsch (Jo-Ellen McQuade-Rentsch), and Joyce Rentsch; her step-children, Kimberly Volkert and Wendy Kourie; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her sister, Sarah Stanley; and her other family members and friends.

In addition to her parents, Donna was predeceased by her husband, Raymond, on January 2, 2024, and her brother, Bob Smith. Her sister, Diane Beegle, passed away on February 10 of this year.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Sunday, February 16, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 1:30, officiated by Pastor Denny Rohn of Dover’s First Moravian Church. Immediately afterward, all are invited to a lunch in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center on the Boulevard in Dover. Burial will be private in Ridgecrest Memory Gardens, Dover.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations in Donna’s memory may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina 28607, samaritanspurse.org.