Verola Iona Mills

Verola Iona (Fisher) Mills of Hastings, Michigan, departed this world on August 22, 2024 to join her Savior in everlasting life.  She was born in Edon, Ohio on Sunday, July 31, 1921 as the oldest child of Wavel B. and Edith Mae (Ball) Fisher.  Growing up on a farm with an outhouse and travelling by horse and buggy, Verola saw incredible changes during her long life.

She married Max Catherman on April 2, 1940, the same year that she graduated from Athens (MI) High School.  Together they had two children, Ronald and Sandra.  Later, on August 28, 1970, she married Wayne S. Mills.  They relished more than thirty years of marriage together until Wayne's death, pursuing many activities with their wide collection of friends.  Avid square and round dancers, they enjoyed being a part of dancing clubs in Florida, Texas, and Michigan, including as members of the Ringo Swingo group in Hastings.  They were also faithful long-time members of the Hastings United Methodist Church.

Until her final days, Verola lived independently and remained incredibly active including driving until she turned 100 years old.  She loved social activities, especially card parties, with her many friends and was the organizer of her euchre club well into her 103rd year.  Verola was an election worker and hospital volunteer until late into her 90's, serving as a member of the Pennock Hospital Auxiliary Board and accumulating more than 1500 hours of volunteer time.   She was also a proud 35-year member of the Hastings Women's Club.

A special memory was her 100th birthday celebration in 2021 that was attended by a host of family and friends.  Verola also treasured the fact that she lived long enough to become a great-great-grandmother.

Verola was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her six siblings, LaMar, Lloyd, LaVeta, Wilver, Donavan, and Treva.

Verola is lovingly remembered by her son, Ronald (Rhonda) Catherman of Crystal, daughter Sandra (Lynn) Sheren of Jenison, grandchildren Rick (Susie) Catherman, Rachel (Adam) Hopkins, Sarah (Dirk) Weeldreyer, Christine Sheren, and Mark (Tabatha) Sheren, great-grandchildren Olivia Catherman, Addison (Emily) Hopkins, Aiden Hopkins, Lylee Jane Hopkins, Karsten (Emily) Weeldreyer, Hannah (Parker) Duggan, Grace Weeldreyer, Jorin Weeldreyer, Isabella Sheren, Christian Sheren, Ava Sheren, Ana Sheren, Brienna DeHaan, William DeHaan, and James DeHaan, and great-great-grandson Matthias Weeldreyer, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

A funeral service will be held at the Green Street United Methodist Church of Hastings on Saturday, September 14 at 11:00 a.m., with a private burial service to follow at the Hastings Riverside Cemetery. Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Home, Hastings, Michigan. To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.