Jan Mills

Janice Ruth Mills, 85, beloved former STC vocal music teacher and FCA huddle leader, transitioned from her earthly dwelling to her heavenly home on Friday, March 7, 2025, at her home in Owensboro, KY. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jay Perry Mills.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 PM on Friday, June 27 at the Okoboji Bible Conference grounds in Arnolds Park, Iowa. Honorary pallbearers are grandsons, Jared, Derek, Tyler, and Jay Carlos Mills, and former STC students, Jason Hempe and Jay Barker.

She is survived by four sons, Jay Owen (and Kim) Mills of Utica, KY, Jeff Mills of Ankeny, IA, Jerry (and Alexandria) Mills of Kansas City, MO, Joby (and Estela) Mills of Amarillo, TX; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

Janice (or Jan as she was known north of the Mason-Dixon line) was born on November 11, 1939, in Van Buren, Arkansas, a daughter to TR and Biddie Owen. She was married to Jay Mills on February 4, 1961.

After graduating from Van Buren High School, Jan completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from College of the Ozarks. Following graduation, she served as a vocal music instructor at various elementary, junior high, and high schools over a career that spanned three decades. Tirelessly, she invested in the kids entrusted to her care. Her job description might have stated that she prepare students for solo and small group state competitions, and seasonal choir performances, but it was more than a love for music that drew the students to her classroom. Her classes grew to record proportions, because the kids loved her. While teaching was her vocation, her passion was for people, and her purpose was to serve her Savior.

Throughout her life, Jan sought to fulfill the Great Commandment and Great Commission. She loved God, loved others, and she pointed them all to Christ. When no coach stepped up to sponsor a new high school chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Jan assumed the mantle of leadership. Instead of identifying herself as a music teacher, she redefined her role as that of a Music Coach and proceeded to lead the FCA in her community for twelve years, growing it into the largest club at South Tama County High School. In this role, she was able to send numerous kids to FCA camps by spearheading ingenious fundraisers (picture assembly lines of kids and volunteers making pizzas and then distributing them throughout town).

For years, Jan traveled throughout Iowa and neighboring states speaking and singing on behalf of Christian Women’s Clubs/Stonecroft Ministries. She faithfully assisted her local church in many ways and invested her time, talents, and treasures in other ministries that would advance the kingdom as well. For instance, Jan served as Director of the Women’s Ministry and unofficial ambassador for the Okoboji Bible Conference for many years, participated on multiple worship teams, coordinated numerous musicals, and directed various choirs (her last one this past Christmas in the assisted living facility where she lived).

Jan enjoyed traveling with her friends, winter vacations in Pharr South, TX, attending football games coached by her sons, boat rides on the Great Lakes of Iowa, and she especially loved visiting her grandchildren. She was loved by her family, her students, and she never met a stranger. She will be missed by many, but she leaves a legacy of love, sacrifice, generosity and a good name.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Okoboji Bible Conference: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/OkobojiConference/donate.html

This wonderful ministry was very near and dear to her heart, and is led by two of her closest friends, Mark (and Barby) Schwarz.