James Mills, 78

James M. Mills, 78, of Mountain Home, died Monday, February 27, 2006, at a local care center.

Inurnment services will be held Saturday, March 11, at Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise at 10:00 a.m. A memorial service also will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, at The Cottages of Mountain Home, l735 S. 5th West St. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, Mountain Home.

Jim was born Aug. 4, 1927, the son of Robert and Blanche (Wentz) Mills in Boise. He was a resident of Garden Valley from birth until he began farming in Bruneau during the 1970s, with the exception of the time when he was in the military.

He, along with his mother and father, modernized the Garden Valley Store and built Garden Valley's first motel. He operated both until he began spending more time on his farm in Bruneau.

He was a successful businessman and farmer.

Jim is survived by: his sisters, Mary Handford of Meridian, Gertrude and her husband, Robert Cunningham, of Henderson, Nev., and Roberta and her husband, Bert Butterworth, of LaConner, Wash.; two brothers, Elmer and his wife, Audrey Mills, of Garden Valley, and Raymond Mills of Tigard, Ore., along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by both parents and one brother.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Lung Association, 1111 S. Orchard, Boise, Id 83705, or a charity of choice.