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Michael “Mike” McMillen, affectionately known by many simply as “Herlock”, was born on August 17, 1946, in Dennison, OH to John and Bertha McMillen and had one older brother, Thomas. He was baptized at Rush Church in Uhrichsville, OH on April 6, 1947.

Mike grew up on his family’s dairy farm in the hills of Ohio. He went to Sanders and Rush elementary schools and graduated from Uhrichsville High School in May of 1964. He attended Ohio State University in the fall of 1964 for one semester and then worked at Republic Steel in Cleveland, OH with his brother until he enlisted in the United States Navy on January 27, 1966. Mike served 3 years and 9 months until he was honorably discharged on October 27, 1969. While in the Navy and stationed in Florida, he met his wife Patricia, and they were married on August 9, 1969, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Grover, Wisconsin. God blessed them with 52 years of marriage. Mike and Pat lived briefly in Florida and then moved to Ohio, where he attended Kent State University for two years. Mike and Pat made their way to Oshkosh, where Mike graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in August of 1974.

Mike and Pat enjoyed living in their country home for 44 years where they raised their two children, Matthew and Kristie. A hard worker his whole life, his children have fond memories of waking up to the smell of coffee brewing and watching their dad leave early for work from their bedroom windows. Getting rides to and from school in the “big blue truck” while listening to “California Dreamin’” is a memory of theirs that will always be with them. They cherished the times with their dad and look forward to being reunited with him one day. 

Mike held several jobs over the years, involving driving a truck, which he loved. He worked for Swift Fresh Meats, salesman for Lehrman Tires, Enmark Gas Co, Roadway Package System, and FedEx as a contract driver for 18 years. After retiring from FedEx in April of 2007 he and Pat began traveling more, going on numerous trips and bus tours around the U.S. One of his most cherished trips was a 2019 vacation to Ireland with his wife, children and their families where he and Pat celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. 

He was a member at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church in Oshkosh since August of 1972, where he played on the dartball team for over 40 years and also served as a deacon. While at home, Mike enjoyed spending time in his woodshop, fashioning ideas or replicating things he saw into finished products, touching the lives of many with these gifts. One of his favorite pastimes was spending time with friends and family – sitting by a fire with some conversation was all he needed. 

Mike was a proud American and Christian, always willing to give his time while not worrying about getting anything in return. He could get by with the barest of essentials, was a self-proclaimed “not a fancy person” and took great joy in watching his children and grandchildren grow up, making it to their extracurricular events whenever he could. The base values and beliefs he possessed will be handed down to the next generations – he will live on.

He was a loved husband, father, grandfather and friend, and he was an uncle many only wish they could have had. While there are not enough words to describe all the ways he will be remembered, his smile, one-liner jokes, laugh, and big heart will never be forgotten.

Mike was taken to his eternal home on May 31, 2022, at the age of 75, after a courageous battle with small cell lung cancer. Mike was preceded in death by his parents and brother, as well as his son, Benjamin. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his son, Matthew (Jill) McMillen; daughter, Kristie (Kevin) Mineard; grandchildren, Samuel, Kylie, Kendall, and Keagan; and nieces, nephews, cousins, brother-in-law and sisters-in-law.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 17, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and a service to follow at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church on 913 Nebraska Street in Oshkosh with Pastor Jensen officiating. Military honors will follow. Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Grace Lutheran Church.

If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfh.net.

God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be
so He put His arms around you
and whispered, “Come to Me.”

With tearful eyes we watched you
and saw you pass away
and although we love you dearly
we could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating
hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.

- author unknown -

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”     Matthew 11:28