Lynne Mills Obituary

Lynne Darlene Mills

Dec 13, 1945 - May 12, 2025

West Salem

Lynne Darlene Shoemaker Holmden Mills, 79, of West Salem, found peace Monday, May 12, 2025, after many years of illness. She died as she lived, with dignity and grace, and surrounded by her loving family.

Lynne was born December 13, 1945, to Frances Hite and Harry Shoemaker and was raised by Helen S. Reilly, whom she loved as a mother, in Norwalk.

She graduated from Norwalk High School and attended Bowling Green State University. After college, she settled in Cleveland and married Tom Holmden in 1966. They had one child, Jenny. Lynne faced adversity in 1969 when she became a widow and single mother at 22. She married Richard "Mitch" Mills in 1973, spending the next 51 years together. Mitch adopted Jenny. Lynne and Mitch had two additional children, Jeremy and Allison. They moved their family of five to a 35-acre farm in West Salem, in 1977, where Lynne lived until the time of her death.

Lynne loved life on the farm, finding it an idyllic place for her family. She enjoyed gardening, crafting, and strolling through the woods while still making time to be an active participant in all of her children's activities. Along with raising her family,

Lynne also organized and was a vendor at the local farmer's market. She was especially proud of the beautiful, dried flowers she prepared and sold every week.

One of Lynne's lifelong passions was music. She often filled her home with the beautiful sound of her piano playing. She also loved the outdoors, enjoying activities like biking, hiking, and camping. Over the years, Lynne collected many antiques and cherished family heirlooms. She was especially known for her talent in setting a beautifully arranged table for holiday gatherings.

After their retirement, Lynne and Mitch discovered new passions together. They traveled through most of the U.S., Canada, and foreign countries, including Ireland, Scotland, China, Italy, and Russia. St Petersburgh was one of Lynne's favorites. Lynne also spent many hours curating and walking the trails in the woods at the farm.

In her later years, Lynne found enjoyment in playing bridge with her "Bridge Babes." She played bridge in several groups throughout the area, from Wooster to Orville to Ashland.

She is survived by her husband, Richard "Mitch" Mills; her children, Jenny, Jeremy (Jenny Hill), and Allison Mills; and her grandchildren, Bella and Ian Eiriksson.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Tom Holmden.

At Lynne's request, there will be no services.