Dateline: East Alton, IL
Stephen Ray Mills, 72, died at 2:55 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at his residence. He was born August 26, 1951 in Palestine, IL the son of the late David and Velda (Swope) Mills. He retired from the Wood River Refinery as a quality assurance tester and was a member of the Whitelaw Avenue Baptist Church in Wood River. Stephen was an avid outdoorsman he loved God and his family. On January 7, 1978 in Godfrey, he married Brenda Hodge and she preceded him in death on August 13, 2020. Surviving are his beloved daughter, Jamie Mills of East Alton, two sisters, Margaret Borries (Mike) and Suzette Mills and two brothers, David Mills and Donald Mills (Carolyn), one sister in law, Bonnie Clendenny and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton where Funeral services will be Friday, January 5, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Reverend Richard Clouse will officiate. Burial will be at Upper Alton Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Siteman Cancer Center of North county, MO or the Baptist Children's Home in Carmi, IL. Additional information and online guest book may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com