FRANKLIN
Paul “David” Milhouse, 75, of the Franklin United Methodist Community, passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at his residence after a 10-year battle with prostate cancer.
He was a former longtime resident of Columbus.
He was born December 23, 1941 in Decatur, Illinois to Paul William and Mary Frances (Noblitt) Milhouse.
David married Martha Jane (Catlin) Milhouse on July 25, 1965, at the Sandcreek-Azalia Friends Church in Azalia, Indiana; she survives.
He attended elementary school in Decatur, Illinois, and middle school and high school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1959. He graduated in 1963 from Indiana Central College, now known as the University of Indianapolis, with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.
David served from 1964 to 1966 in the U.S. Army, including six months in Vietnam as a chaplain’s assistant in the First Air Cavalry Division out of Fort Benning, Georgia. A short video about his Vietnam experience and how he communicated with the family back home can be viewed at “https://youtu.be/4ctqFKsJiKk” or go to YouTube.com and search for “David Milhouse”.
He served as an accountant for Arvin Industries in Columbus in the financial department for 33 years, retiring in 2000.
He and his wife owned Central Hobbies and Vacuums in Columbus from 1978 to 1986.
As a member of Sandy Hook United Methodist Church, he served at various times as the church treasurer, chair of the pastor parish committee, chair of the administrative board and chair of the missions committee.
He led work teams from the church to Red Bird Mission in Kentucky and served as a team leader for 14 years. He also served as the treasurer for the Columbus District of the United Methodist Church.
David and his wife served as United Methodist Volunteers in Mission since 2000 at McCurdy School in Espanola, New Mexico for four months each year and at the Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas for one month each year since 2003.
David also volunteered with the United Methodist Committee on Relief in Baldwin, Louisiana, Tree of Life Ministry in Mission, South Dakota, Boys Ranch in Gore, Oklahoma and Love Chapel in Columbus, Indiana. He and his wife sponsored several students at McCurdy and Lydia Patterson.
He enjoyed model trains, woodworking and electronics. He was also a train enthusiast. David thoroughly enjoyed and made every effort to attend his grandchildren’s events.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Martha of Franklin; son, Keith David Milhouse (Sandee) of Bloomington, Indiana; daughter, Janice Dawn Milhouse Blythe (Ric) of Greenwood; eight grandchildren Jacob, Wynne, and Lydia Milhouse, Natosha Stevens, Emmalee and Isaac Stier, Veronica and Isabella Blythe; a great-grandson, Bo Allen Pinkiston, and a sister, Pauline Joyce Vermillion (Art) of Indianapolis; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister and her husband, Dr. Ron and Mary Hauswald.
The Reverends Andy Kinsey and Jenothy Rather will conduct a service celebrating the life of Paul “David” Milhouse on Sunday, August 20, at 5 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 1300 E. Adams Street in Franklin. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3 p.m. until service time at the church. A private family burial was held at Sandcreek Friends Cemetery in Elizabethtown.
Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 S. Morton St., Franklin, is handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to McCurdy Ministries, 362A S McCurdy Road, Espanola, NM 87532; Lydia Patterson Institute, P.O. Box 11, El Paso, TX 79940; or Grace United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.
Information: 317-738-0202.
