Katie McMillin, age 88 of West Lafayette died on Saturday, December 3rd. She was born May 20, 1928 in Indianapolis, the daughter of the late Wilbur and Mary Frances Bradshaw Dittrich. She grew up in Highland, Indiana, graduated from Griffith High School in 1946 and was admitted to the Liberal Science School at Purdue University,Continue Reading
Katherine D. McMillin
May 20, 1928 - December 3, 2016
Katie McMillin, age 88 of West Lafayette died on Saturday, December 3rd. She was born May 20, 1928 in Indianapolis, the daughter of the late Wilbur and Mary Frances Bradshaw Dittrich. She grew up in Highland, Indiana, graduated from Griffith High School in 1946 and was admitted to the Liberal Science School at Purdue University, the forerunner of the School of Liberal Arts. Graduating in 1950 she taught school in Speedway, Indiana. On February 2, 1952 she married James Lewis Wood. They lived in Decatur, IL; South Bend; New York City; and New Orleans. They were divorced in 1966. Lew died in August 2013.
She and her three children, Bob, Carole and Jim, moved to Lafayette in 1966. She loved Lafayette where jobs and opportunities seemed to find her. First was the Purdue Alumni Assoc. to help alumni go to the Rose Bowl game, she then joined Irvine Travel Service in 1967. As a travel agent she travelled extensively. In 1977 as a tour leader for a cruise she met Dale Kent McMillin. They were married September 8th, 1978 in Lafayette. Both of them liked to entertain and loved to travel. They were fortunate to have many trips overseas as well as in the U.S. He died June 8, 2005.
A former member and president of the Lafayette School Board, an honored Friend of Downtown and one of the organizers for the successful All-America City designation for the City of Lafayette in 1995. She volunteered for Lafayette Railroad Relocation events in 1986 and in 1989 joined the staff as Special Projects Coordinator where she headed the Hoopla Committee for Railroad Relocation projects and community celebrations until her retirement in 1998. Active with the Purdue Class of 1950 Alumni committee for the construction of the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall, she is recognized on the Hall's Wall of Fame. A devoted member of Kappa Alpha Theta, Thursday Club, Indiana Pioneers, Art League, Vinton Woods Book Club and the Tippecanoe County Historical Association. She loved to have fun; was a friendly resourceful leader with irrepressible enthusiasm.
Surviving are a son, Robert Wood (wife Julie) of Indianapolis, a son-in-law Daniel Gorenflo of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, daughter-in law Gerri Wood of Sunnyvale, California, step-daughters Janet McMillin Gick (husband Dan) of Lafayette, Laura McMillin Roberts
(husband Tim) of Houston, Texas, and Gail McMillin Peas (husband Brad) of Frankfort, sisters Martha Dittrich Smith (husband Phillip) of Pittsburgh, Louise Dittrich Routt of Bloomington, and sisters-in-law Paulette Dittrich of Ogden Dunes, and Sandra Dittrich of Kingsland, Texas. Also surviving are Kelly, Jeremy, Benjamin and Claire Wood, Anna and Caroline Gorenflo, Matthew and Jenyah F. Wood, Colin and Alec Roberts, Austin Gick, Tyler and Kayla Peas, one great grandchild Mackenzie Wood and many loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her son Jim Wood and daughter Carole Wood Gorenflo and her brothers Bill Dittrich and Jack Dittrich.
A private burial service will be held at Sugar Grove Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 600 Ferry Street, in Lafayette. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to a make a memorial contribution to St. John’s Episcopal Church or to the Carole Gorenflo Scholarship care of the Purdue Research Foundation, 403 West Wood Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906.
Due to inclement weather the burial will be held at a later date.