Music lover and musician Harley L. Mills Sr., 75, of Lafayette, passed away on Friday, April 2nd, 2021. He was born July 28th, 1945, in Adrian, MI, to the late Harley and Rose (Smith) Mills.

His marriage was to Carolyn Cavins on August 12th, 1964. They had 10 children together. She preceded him in death in 2004.

Harley worked as a Security Officer for Frito-Lay, Fairfield Manufacturing, Indiana Veterans Home, and Staleys. He retired in 2004.

Harley enjoyed reading, watching Sci-fi shows, ghost hunting, history, and Native American culture. He loved being weird just to get people to laugh. He also had his own sense of style and taste. He had a smile that could light up the room and never met a stranger. He loved root beer. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge. Besides spending time with his family, his greatest passion was music. He played several instruments, but was truly talented on the guitar.

Surviving are his children Harley (Christine) Mills, Jr., Chris Mills Sr., Gene (Cheri) Mills, Mark (Sabine) Mills, Sr., Mike Mills, Sarah (Joe) Hood, David Mills, Keri (Audie Rice) Mills, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Also surviving is his sister Rose Mills, son in law Troy Green, daughter in law Beth Mills, and his 3 cats; Kitten, Baby (Magdalena), and Honey (Helena).

Harley was preceded in death by a son Jeff Mills Sr., a daughter Carla Green, and a sister Kay Reimer.

Visitation will be from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm on Friday, April 9th at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel at 400 Twyckenham Blvd. A graveside service will follow at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens in West Lafayette. After leaving the graveside, family and friends are welcome to join for a small gathering with food and drinks at the Junction House located at 215 Smith Street in Lafayette.

As Harley would have loved, we leave you with a quote from Edward Bulwer Lytton, “Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.”