Merlyn Joan (Van Deventer) Mills

Merlyn Joan (Van Deventer) Mills, 91, of Durant, Oklahoma, was born, Tuesday, November 1, 1932, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to Roy Francis and Ina Beatrice (Richey) Van Deventer. 

Merlyn was always creating and inventing as a child. Her brother recalled growing up, Merlyn had made a wooden duck. Of course, it won the art show. One of the judges, famous pottery manufacturer, tried and tried to purchase it from her, but it was not for sale! He went on to create hundreds of clay ducks from that image. 

Merlyn graduated as valedictorian of Mountain View High School, Class of 1950. She received her bachelor’s degree with a double major in chemistry and mathematics from Oklahoma State University, formerly known as Oklahoma A & M College, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. On campus, Merlyn was very active at the Baptist Student Union and spent her life reading and studying God’s Word. She also enjoyed working in the science laboratory on campus. While attending college, a young student had bought some watermelons and ask Merlyn and her friends if they would like to enjoy some with them. The rest you might say is history, or at least it is documented as such in Payne County, Oklahoma. Merlyn married Boyd Dewitt Mills Sunday, May 29, 1955. 

Merlyn was a lifelong teacher. She loved teaching and sharing her knowledge throughout her lifetime. Merlyn taught math at Perry High School the year before she was married, and for a total of five years while her husband completed his veterinary degree. Before leaving Stillwater, Oklahoma, and moving to Faulkton, South Dakota, their oldest son was born, Boyd Dee Mills. While living in Faulkton for approximately 45 years, they were blessed with two more, daughter, Beverly “Sue” (Mills) Thorstad and son, Byron Wayne Mills. 

Merlyn was a brilliant go getter with great multi-tasking skills. Upon arriving in Faulkton, she didn’t let her feet hit the ground! Merlyn and her husband built a successful veterinarian clinic eventually expanding it into a hardware store. When a great need arose for a clinical laboratory technician at the hospital, Merlyn rose to meet the need. For many years she was the only clinical laboratory technician, and in some cases, only medic in the entire county. 

She was kind and a friend to all. She enjoyed crocheting afghans and was very involved in her community. She took great pleasure in discussing her medical practice, which went well above clinical laboratory technician, helping with every and any one in need, their family members, friends, and their animals. Whether at the hospital, the store, or in the community, Merlyn was always busy lending a helping hand. 

Merlyn was always up for a good discussion, whether it be politics, money, economy, religion, and/or education. She most always had a riddle or puzzle for you to solve. No matter the challenge, Merlyn was most always up for it. Whether it be wooden puzzles, brain teasers, cross stitch, Suduko, cards, and/or dominoes. Just last week, Merlyn was laughing, playing dominoes (and winning by the way), and telling her husband, daughter and granddaughter how much she loved them! 

Her granddaughter recalls the fond memories of how excited Merlyn would always be when they would come see her. She always looked forward to her grandchildren coming for a visit. She would take them places, make crafts with them, and challenge their minds continuously by giving them riddles and puzzles to solve. One recalls, “How many animals did Abraham put on the ark?” 

Merlyn is survived by her husband of the home of almost 69 years, “Grandpa” Doc Mills, Durant, Oklahoma, son Boyd Dee and wife Deborah Mills, of Caddo, Oklahoma, daughter Beverly “Sue” Thorstad, Caddo, Oklahoma, son Byron Wayne and wife Barbara Mills, Faulkton, South Dakota. Six grandchildren, Amber Ladawn (Mills) McIntyre, husband Donald, McKinney, Texas, Thomas Gordon Thorstad, wife Moon, Laos, Benjamin Jeffrey Thorstad, wife Christy, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, Jennifer Lynn (Thorstad) Burleson, husband Andrew, Durant, Oklahoma, Brandon Jene Mills, Aberdeen, South Dakota, and Bryce Dewitt Mills, Aberdean, South Dakota. Ten great-grandchildren, Lyndsey Dawn McIntyre, Conner Jeffrey Thorstad, Troy Benjamin Thorstad, Luke Ricky Thorstad, Abraham Sengone Thorstad, David Sengone Thorstad, Joseph Sengone Thorstad, Isabel Willow Mills, Kiera Rae Mills, and Jack Daniels Mills. One brother, Gale Roy Van Deventer, wife Patsy, Chelsea, Oklahoma. Brother-in-laws Phill Timmons, Jeff Effland, and Robert Mills. Sister-in-law, Annette Hale, along with many, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. 

Merlyn is preceded in death by her parents, Roy F. and Ina Van Deventer, sisters: Vivian June, Yvonne E, and Janis M. Son-in-law Jeffrey Gordon Thorstad, sister-in-law Molly Effland, brother-in-law, Ed Hail. 

Pallbearers include: Cary Lee Van Deventer, Stephen Dale Van Deventer, Delwin Dean Van Deventer, Brandon Jene Mills, Bryce DeWitt Mills, Benjamin Jeffrey Thorstad, Brandon Williams, and Gale Roy Van Deventer, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers: Earl Hale, Donald McIntyre, Kasin Kemp, Thomas Gordon Thorstad, Andrew Burleson. 

Family Hour will be at Holmes-Coffey-Murray funeral home this Friday, May 24, 2024, at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Fusion Church Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. with Brother Michael Moody officiating. The family would like to take this opportunity to thank Merle and all the staff at Holmes-Coffey-Murray for all their support and assistance in this our great hour of need. 

Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, 121 North 5th Street, Durant, Oklahoma 74701. www.holmescoffeymurray.com.