Alan Mills. It is with great difficulty and sadness to announce that Alan Mills is now resting with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Alan was a loving husband, father, son and friend. He passed away gracefully at his home in Rochester Hills, Mich., on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008, after spending more than two years fighting the disease that ultimately took his life. He was a 1978 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and Marshall University with a degree in international relations in 1982, and a degree in marketing in 1983. Alan was a dedicated employee of the American Cancer Society, on both a National and Division level. His most recent position was that of director of government relations at the Great Lakes Division of the American Cancer Society. The loss of Alan will be felt by many ACS volunteers and staff across the country who had the opportunity to know and work with him throughout his impressive career. Professionally, Alan was an astute and effective political adviser and advocate for the ACS mission. This was due certainly to his political savvy and expert knowledge, but it was his personal style that made him effective as an advocate. He was a true “country gentleman” which stemmed from his proud West Virginia roots. His gentle southern manner and grace was his unique “signature” and a trait that was admired and enjoyed by virtually everyone who came in contact with him. Alan’s career with the American Cancer Society began in 1987 when he joined the West Virginia Division as public education and public issues director. He then moved to the National Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C., in 1990 where he served in a number of positions until joining the Great Lakes Division as director of federal government relations in 2002. In the Great Lakes Division, Alan led and engaged a dedicated advocacy staff team that managed hundreds of grassroots volunteers throughout Indiana and Michigan. He and his team built an army of dedicated people, from all walks of life, that have become an important force in Indiana and Michigan politics in recent years. Under his direction many legislative issues were addressed and the citizens of Michigan and Indiana were well represented on many important federal, state and local health care policy issues. Alan is survived by his wife, Angie; son, Noah; stepdaughter, Genna Buffa; parents, Kenneth and Macel Mills of Beckley; and sister, Joan Mills of Greensboro, N.C. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to the American Cancer Society or the Noah Mills Education Trust Fund. Visitation was 1 to 9 p.m. Friday at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons Inc., Shelby Township, Mich. Friends may call 10 a.m. today at Oakland Christian Church, 5100 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, until time of service at 11 a.m. Interment Guardian Angel Cemetery. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at WujekCalcaterra.com.