From the 5/24/1916 Van Wert, Ohio, Morning Times: "Van Wert lost one of its noblest women when the spirit of Mrs. J. W. McMillen answered the call of her Savior at an early hour yesterday morning. Mrs. McMillen's health had not been noticeably affected until the latter part of last week when she was suddenly seized with symptoms that indicate acute appendicitis. An operation was decided upon and performed last Saturday morning. From the shock she did not rally, as it had been hoped she would. Yesterday her condition was decidedly unsatisfactory. Late last night another operation, was found imperative and performed but to no avail and her wseet and gentle spirit took its flight to God who gave it.
Mary Jane Wilmore (McMillen) was born on May 7, 1858 in Adams county, Ind. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wilmore. Early in her life her family moved to Willshire, later they resided for a time in Mercer county, and in 1875 settled in Van Wert, where she has always since then lived.
On April 24, 1879 she was united in marriage to Mr. Joseph Warren McMillen, who at that time was a country school teacher. With dauntless spirit this couple faced the struggle of life and from the very slender material resources with which they started, she, as a true help-meet, assisted her husband and saw him become one of the leading business men of this community.
To this union nine children were born, three of whom died in childhood. The children who survive her are Dale W. McMillen, Mrs. Anna Bernice Fergus, and Ralph O. McMillen, all of Van Wert; Mrs. Nellie Bayne Richison of Yellow Springs, Ohio; Mr. Louis G. McMillen of Celina and Miss Geraldine Marie McMillen who has been studying this year in New York City.
Mrs. McMillen's faith and devotion to her Savior have always been outstanding features in her character. She made profession of faith in Christ at the early age of eleven and was received into the Baptist Church at Pleasant Mills, Ind. She remained a member of that church until her marriage when she came with her husband to the Presbyterian Church of Van Wert. In the work of the church she was one of its most active and faithful members and at the time of her death was serving her second term as president of the Womens Missionary Society. No worthy cause ever found her unresponsive and the variety of her activity and interests may be surmised when one remembers that she was for several years a member and officer in the W. C. T. U., a member of the Eastern Star, the Wimodaughsis and Sorosis.
.....In addition to her husband and children already mentioned she is survived by her beloved step-mother Mrs. J. H. Wilmore, and sister Mrs. Shockey, of Seattle, Wash., her half-sister, Mrs. Caroline Roberts of Tacoma, Wash., and her brother, William Wilmore of Van Wert.
The funeral services will be held at her late residence on South avenue, Thursday afternoon at 2:30 and the interment will be made at Woodland cemetery."