1937-2008

After an eleven-month battle with cancer, Herbert G. Milks, 70 of Empire, died peacefully at Nathan Adleson Hospice in Las Vegas, NV on March 4, 2008 with his family present. He was born in Manistee, MI on June 29, 1937, the son of Estle H. and Anna E. (Romsek) Milks.

Herb graduated from Copemish High School in 1955, lettering in basketball, baseball and track. He graduated from Northwestern Michigan College in 1957 with an Associate of Arts degree lettering in basketball there also. In 1959 he graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors degree, majoring in social studies and physical education.

On June 20, 1959 Herb married Deane M. Brown in Copemish. After their marriage they moved to Empire and Herb began his career at Glen Lake Community Schools as a teacher and coach.

Herb spent thirteen years teaching social studies and physical education. During that time he was head basketball coach for eight years, with two league titles and two District titles, and nine years as baseball coach. He received his permanent teaching certificate in 1963 and in 1973 a Masters degree in secondary school administration. In 1972 Herb was named high school principal and athletic director at Glen Lake and in 1979 was named Superintendent of Schools. During that time he acted as construction manager when an elementary building and additions to the high school were built.

In 1983 Herb became Superintendent of Schools at White Cloud, MI, where he again was involved in building a new high school. Upon retiring in June 1993, Mr. and Mrs. Milks returned to Empire for the summer months and Las Vegas in the winter.

Herb was a member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Empire. He had been a member of the Empire Lions Club for twenty-two years and White Cloud Rotary Club for ten years. An avid golfer Herb achieved a hole-in-one twice.

Herb is survived by his wife Deane, daughters Cynthia L. (Ronald) Peck of Marina, CA and Patricia J. (Thomas) Towers of Macomb, MI, son Thomas W. (Tara) Milks of Livonia, MI, and “Grandpa’s boys” Adam and Ryan Towers, one brother Robert L. (Shari) Milks of Two Rivers, WI, and several other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, David E. Milks, and baby daughter, Katherine S. Milks.

Funeral services will be conducted on April 26, 2008 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Empire with Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. with Rev. Donald Libby officiating. Burial will follow immediately. A visitation will be held one hour before the service.

The family asks in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Empire Volunteer Fire Department, the Empire Museum, or the Lance Armstrong Foundation for Cancer Research to sponsor Amber Wendels who is running the Chicago marathon in memory of Herb at www.fantasmo.blogspot.com

Cremation has taken place at La Paloma Funeral Services in Las Vegas. Local arrangements are being handled by Bennett-Barz Funeral Home in Beulah.
www.bennett-barzfuneralhome.com