MARQUAND, Mo. -- The Rev. Nehemiah Francis Mills, 80, of Marquand died Tuesday, April 9, 2002, at his home.

He was born Aug. 2, 1921, at Marquand, son of Marvin and Retha Shrum Mills. He and Ermajean Reagan were married Jan. 11, 1947.

Mills was ordained in 1957. He attended Liberty Congregational Methodist Church.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and was awarded three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.

Survivors include his wife; five sons, Marion and Jeremiah Mills of Marquand, Jesse Mills of Magee, Miss., David Mills of Marble Hill, Mo., Daniel Mills of Jackson, Mo.; four daughters, Burnetta Mills of Marble Hill, Izettia Anderton of Converse, La., Mary Ellen Thornton of Heidelberg, Miss., and Geraldine Mills of Laurel, Miss.

Also surviving is a brother, John Mills of Fredericktown, Mo.; four sisters, Emma Sitze of Farmington, Mo., Loretta Wilkerson of Festus, Mo., Lillie Matthews and Eula Statler of Marquand; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sons, a brother, and three sisters.

Friends may call at Liley Funeral Home in Patton, Mo., from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Kirby Grindstaff officiating. Burial will be in Union Light Cemetery near Marquand, with full military rites by Missouri Honors Team.