David Lee McMillin

David Lee “Dave” McMillin, 68, of Butler passed away peacefully Friday following his battle with brain cancer, surrounded by family at the VNA Inpatient Hospice of Butler.

He was the youngest of three handsome sons born to Marion (Grant) and the late Harry “Hike” McMillin.

Dave attended and graduated with the class of 1965 from Butler High School. He married his first love and high school sweetheart Linda Lee Skillman on May 31, 1968. Together they would be blessed with their two children, making their family complete.

Dave was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Butler, and attended the Crossfire campus.

Dave was a great husband and father. He provided for his family and was a hard worker. Early on, he worked for Pullman Standard in the painting and welding divisions. He later partnered with his brother-in-law, Eddie Skillman, as a tour bus driver for Night Flight Conversions of Butler, where he had the privilege of driving for numerous top entertainers including Kenny Rogers, the Beach Boys, Loretta Lynn and many others. By far, his favorite entertainer was Crystal Gayle.

In addition, Dave was a partner of Sharon Speedway in Hubbard, Ohio. Together with his first wife Linda, they built LADMAC Services which was a company that repaired and designed tour buses and motorhomes for various entertainers. He traveled each winter to assist with running the sprint car and late model races for the All Stars Circuit of Champions at the Volusia County Speedway in Florida. He started the races for the AWRCS woods racing series with his famous words “ten seconds” for several years. In addition, he ran the starting gate for the motocross races at Switchback Raceway in Butler for several years. His final job was as a mail contractor for the United States Postal Service, from which he retired.

Dave enjoyed worshipping and attending church, his family, welding, driving, and a good cigar, along with motocross and car racing. He particularly enjoyed watching his grandson, Dash McMillin, race. He was everyone's biggest fan no matter what races were going on. Dave also enjoyed baseball and was proud to be a member of the East Butler Baseball Alumni Association.

Dave had a special knack, which was the ability of knowing all of the lyrics to many songs. Not only did he know all of the lyrics, he knew who sang the songs that he loved. He especially knew all of the words to the oldies and loved all of the doo-wop songs.

Dave had cancer, but, cancer did not have Dave. Despite the setbacks he experienced, he found new ways to enjoy life with his cancer. He and his close friends and family shared many mornings over coffee and cigars. In addition, Tuesday morning breakfasts at Shelly's Main Street Café in Butler became the norm for Dave as it allowed him the opportunity to celebrate his friends and family. Many Tuesdays were followed by his chemo treatments which he looked forward to because he got to see his nurses and “new” found friends at the Butler Regional Cancer Center.

Dave found love again after his first wife passed, and he married his second wife, Susan (Coyle) McMillin, on March 3, 2013. Together they bonded and spent time traveling, worshipping, and enjoying great times together.

Dave was preceded in death by his father, Harry “Hike” McMillin; and his first wife, Linda (Skillman) McMillin.

Dave is survived by his current wife, Susan (Coyle) McMillin; one daughter, Tracy McMillin and her fiance, Dale Scheibel; one son, Shane (Ruth) McMillin; his grandchildren, Chelsi and Dash; and his great-granddaughter, Evelyn. He also is survived by his two brothers, John (Rowena) McMillin of California and Omar “Biff” (Nancy) McMillin of Georgia. In addition, he leaves behind six brothers-in-law, all of Butler, Edward Skillman, Joe (Patty) Carben, Jeff (Kim) Carben, John (Tracy) Carben, Jerry (Donna) Carben and Jason (Jen) Carben; and numerous nieces and nephews.

MCMILLIN — Funeral arrangements for David Lee “Dave” McMillin, who died Friday, March 27, 2015, are being handled by the Young Funeral Home in Butler, with visitation on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m.The funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home with pastors Rob Gilchrist and Tim Goodman of the First United Methodist Church of Butler officiating.Graveside services will follow at the Greenlawn Cemetery in Butler.The family asks that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Asterisk Mobile Medical Unit, which assists down riders during motocross events. You may make checks payable to: The Medic Rig, LLC., c/o Tom Carson, P.O. box 64, Hopedale, OH 43976.For more information, visit www.youngfuneralhomes.com.