Rev. John McMillan

Aug. 18, 1922–Nov. 14, 2011

(First RPC of Beaver Falls, Pa.)

Rev. John McMillan, age 89, died Nov. 14, 2011, at home. Rev. McMillan often quoted Psalm 16:6, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.”

His first pleasant place was Clarinda, Iowa, where he was born Aug. 18, 1922, to godly parents, Rev. Matthew and Margaret Gault McMillan. He enjoyed a loving family, sisters Rosalie (McMillan) Ward and Beth (McMillan) Ward, and brothers Rev. Robert McMillan and Dr. Willard McMillan. He grew up in New Concord, Ohio, where his father pastored the Reformed Presbyterian church. His future brother-in-law, Sam Ward, was an important early influence, taking John and Willard out for root beer and teaching them about living life, serving Christ, and how to have a good time.

Graduating from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, and then the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Rev. McMillan first pastored in Sparta, Ill. At a national conference he got to know Marion Adams, who became a loving wife and partner in the ministry for 63 years, a calm and stable support throughout life, to the very end. Rev. McMillan also pastored in Coldenham, N.Y., Marion, Iowa, and planted a church in Endicott, N.Y.

In retirement he served in Japan, Ireland, and Canada and at Eastvale, Pa. as an elder and deacon. He served in prayer and making disciples through the preached Word of Christ, and ministered to people of all ages in many settings and circumstances, such as church camps, Bible clubs, Bible study in the home, communicants classes, mentoring, and transporting people to church. He enjoyed a loving, peaceful family life with children Richard, Jane and Donald; grandchildren Donald, Iain and David Keddie, Morgan and Matthew McMillan, Philip and Kyle McMillan; and great-grandson Joshua Keddie. He enjoyed friends all over the world. Many friendships were established at family camps, which he attended throughout his life, sometimes in primitive circumstances and long into old age. His funeral was Nov. 18 at First RP Church of Beaver Falls, Pa, with Pastor Micah Ramsey officiating. Interment followed at the RP Cemetery in New Galilee, Pa. He now enjoys the ultimate pleasant place—glory.