ERNEST W. MILLS
Owner/Funeral Director
Ernest W. Mills, a native of Georgetown, Illinois, graduated from Georgetown High School in 1953 and from Earlham College in 1957. Following graduation, he married Betty Eckler. He then became associated with Doan & Johnson Funeral Home and graduated from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in 1959.
In 1967, Ernest Mills and Betty purchased the Doan & Johnson and the Welfer-Johnson Funeral Homes. In 1973, they announced the building of a new funeral home at 790 National Road West. The new funeral home was opened in January 1974.
Ernie belongs to Central United Methodist Church, Richmond Elks #649, Forest Hills Country Club, Richmond Masonic Lodge #196, Indianapolis Valley of Scottish Rite, and Murat Shrine. He has served on the Board of Friends Fellowship Community for 23 years and on the board of the former People’s Savings and Loan for a number of years. He also has served on committees of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association (IFDA).
Ernie and Betty have one daughter, Beth, who is married to David Lydick, and two grandsons, Michael and Andrew.
BETTY L. MILLS
Owner
Betty L. Mills graduated from St. Charles High School in 1953 and graduated from Earlham College in 1957 having also completed Medical Technology training at Reid Hospital. Following graduation, she married Ernest Mills. She worked in the lab at Reid Hospital for 13 years, and also at the funeral home. Ernie and Betty purchased the two funeral homes in 1967. She was instrumental in designing and implementing the building of the new funeral home at 790 National Road West in 1973.
Betty belongs to Central United Methodist Church, Forest Hills Country Club, and Richmond Altrusa Club. She is an honorary member of Psi Iota Xi Sorority. She has spent a lot of her time in fundraising for organizations such as Genesis of YWCA and Riley Children’s Hospital. While she served on the boards of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, the former Richmond Symphony Women’s Association, and the Whitewater Opera Company, she was in charge of fundraising and membership. She also served on the board of the YWCA.
Betty and Ernie have one daughter, Beth, who is married to David Lydick, and two grandsons, Michael and Andrew.
BETH A. LYDICK
Owner
Beth Lydick began her involvement in the funeral business at birth, as she is the daughter of Ernie and Betty Mills. After graduating from DePauw University in 1985, she married David Lydick and lived in Indianapolis working as a Systems Engineer for EDS for fourteen years. Beth, David, and their two sons (Michael and Andrew) returned to Richmond in 2002 to join in the family business and be closer to family.
Beth is a member of First English Lutheran Church where she is active on the Church Council and Bell Choir.
Beth enjoys being involved in the boys’ schools and cheering them on in their many sports! She also enjoys music, cooking, reading, trying to play golf, and spending time with family and friends.
DAVID S. LYDICK
Owner/Funeral Director
David was born in Richmond and graduated from Richmond High School in 1981 and Anderson University in 1985. He married Beth Mills in 1985, and they lived in Indianapolis where he worked for Hook Drugs as an In-Store Computer Analyst for four years and then for American Express Financial Advisors as a Certified Financial Planner for 12 years. David began his funeral career in 2002 with Doan & Mills and graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.
David is a member of First English Lutheran Church and Richmond Noon Kiwanis Club. David enjoys watching his boys’ many sports events and other activities, traveling, and music.
David and Beth are the proud parents of two sons, Michael and Andrew. David’s parents, Herb and Gail Lydick, also live in Richmond.
RONALD L. SMITH
Funeral Director
Ronald L. Smith began his funeral career after graduating from Indiana College of Funeral Service in 1975. He was a former employee of NATCO and has been a member of the Doan & Mills staff since 1977.
Ron is a member of Fountain City Wesleyan Church, Gideon’s International, and the Richmond Emmaus Community.
Ron married Carolyn S. Bailey in 1967, and they have two sons, Dennis and Eric, one daughter, Lisa, and three grandchildren, Eric, Brooklyn, and Andrew.
HUGH C. YOUNT
Funeral Director / Embalming Technician
Hugh C. Yount’s career in funeral service began in 1970 shortly after graduating from Richmond High School in 1969. He graduated from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in October 1973 and worked in funeral service in Daleville, Indiana for eight years. He came back home to Richmond and joined the staff of Doan & Mills on February 16, 1981.
Hugh is a member of Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder. He has also been a member of the Richmond Y’s Men’s Association and was president for 2 years.
Hugh has been married to Diana since 1972. He enjoys golf, walking and traveling throughout the U.S. Hugh’s other interests include visiting lighthouses and seeing lighthouse restoration. Hugh and Diana recently purchased a second home in St. George, South Carolina, where they are currently restoring the home to its 1890 grandeur.
M. CHAD OLMSTED
Funeral Director / Embalming Technician
M. Chad Olmsted began his funeral career after graduating from high school in 1985. He is a 1988 graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service and has been a member of the Doan & Mills staff since 1995, after working for several firms throughout Indiana.
Chad is a member of Webb Lodge #24 and the Masonic Building Board, St Paul’s Lutheran Church, American Society of Embalmers, and Pi Sigma Fraternity. He enjoys hockey, Formula One and other road racing series and is dabbling with fly fishing.
Chad has two sons, Michael and Jordon.
On February 14, 2010, Chad married Laura Coddington Olmsted.
GILBERT M. ALFORD
Funeral Director
Gilbert M. Alford is a 1980 graduate of South Dearborn High School and served in the United States Air Force for 9 years. After serving in the Air Force, he began his career in funeral service in 1993 and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He has been with the Doan & Mills staff since 2003.
Gil
attends Hillcrest Baptist Church
and is a member of the Centerville Kiwanis Club. He enjoys sports, church activities and spending time with family and friends.
Gil has been married since 1984 to Erin and has three children, Hanna, Emily and Sam.
JOSHUA M. BYRUM
Funeral Director
Joshua M. Byrum is a 2001 graduate of Union City Community High School and he attended Ball State University for 2 years until he transferred to I.U. East in 2005. Josh graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in December 2007, and served his one year internship with Reichard Funeral Home in Union City, Indiana. He began his funeral career as a licensed funeral director on January 26, 2009, when he joined the Doan & Mills staff.
In his spare time, Josh enjoys any type of racing, bowling, watching movies, and spending time with his family and friends.
TOM DAUGHERTY
Funeral Assistant
Tom graduated from Whitewater-Fountain City High School in 1966, attended IU-East, and has continued his education through many training programs, seminars, and courses through the years in various fields. He has 33+ years experience in the auto industry including 22+ years ministering to the vehicle needs of ministry and missionary clients. Tom joined the staff of Doan & Mills on October 20, 2008.
Tom is a member of Fountain City Wesleyan Church where he serves with the 1st Impressions Ministry, singing in a quartet, and often as a member of the Worship Arts Team. He is a member of the Emmaus Community where he has served in the past as a board member and has attended Bible Study Fellowship. Tom enjoys Bible study and Christian books, photography, golf, swimming, and family activities and vacations.
Tom has been married to Mara Jan since 1966, and they have two daughters, two sons-in-law, two granddaughters, and two grandsons.
G. Robert Clark
Funeral Assistant
Bob is a 1984 graduate of Delta High School and a 1988 graduate of Anderson University. He grew up in Delaware County, Indiana and now makes his home in Greens Fork. After working in the banking industry for 20 years, Bob began his funeral service career by joining the Doan & Mills staff in October 2008. He is currently enrolled at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science where he serves as Class President and plans to graduate in March 2010.
Bob attends Centerville Christian Church where he is active in the music program. He enjoys music, Nascar, hunting, and fishing.
Bob has been married since 1989 to Alissa. They have two boys, Bradley and Jonathan.
CHERYL K. RINEHART
Office Manager
Cheryl K. Rinehart graduated from Centerville High School, and worked in city government and news services. She joined the staff of Doan & Mills in December 2004, as the Office Manager.
In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys gardening and crafts.
Cheryl has two children, Melissa and Debra, and two grandchildren, Ashley and Kassandra.
