Janet R. Mills

Janet R. Mills, 92, wife of the late Thomas F. Mills of Bethlehem, PA, passed away at home on February 21, 2025. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in May 2016 and were married for 64 years when Mr. Mills passed. 

Born in Cementon, PA, Janet was the daughter of the late Mark and Florence (Hoffman) Koch of Orefield, PA. 

Janet was employed as a stenographer for Trojan Powder Company, Executive Secretary in the Sales Department of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Executive Secretary to the President of Hercules Cement Company and, also, was an Associate Real Estate Broker, having worked for Brose Realty of Bethlehem and Benchmark Realty of Bethlehem. Upon retirement, she also worked at her daughter's veterinary hospital, North Saucon Animal Hospital. 

Earlier, Janet was an active member of Rosemont Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, as well as a former member of the Bethlehem Library Board. She was one of the organizers of the West Side Citizens Committee, which fought for Bethlehem's West Side Park and swimming pool and against the density of Bethlehem's First Planned Unit Development along Lehigh Street. Janet was active in Girl Scouts, Chairperson of Calypso School's Festival, and active in Nitschmann Middle School Band Parents, as well as Liberty High School Band Parents. 

Her hobbies included hunting, fishing, knittng, traveling, and she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She often mentioned that her greatest achievement was providing a good education to their daughter, who graduated from both Bucknell University, cum laude, and The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. 

Survivors: Daughter, Dr. Sharon K. Harley, wife of Colin S. Harley; four grandchildren: grandson, Aaron Harley, granddaughter, Marissa Harley, and twin grandchildren, Jonah Harley and Olivia Harley. Also survived by sister-in-law, Nancy Koch, and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers Carl M. Koch, Richard R. Koch and his wife, Phyllis Koch, and brother, George F. Koch. 

A visitation will be held on March 15, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:30AM at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 with a service to follow at 11:30AM. Interment will be held at a later date. 

Contributions: Alzheimer's Association, 225 N Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601