HURON — Keith T. McMillan of Huron was presented the 2017 Fair City Sertoma Service to Mankind Award Tuesday night during the Club’s Spring Splash fundraiser at the Huron Event Center.
Also honored was Teri Mack, who received the 2016-17 Sertoman of the Year Award. (See article below)
McMillan was born Feb. 10, 1931, to Otto R. McMillan and Christina (Iverson) in Clark County. He lived west of Carpenter and went to country school. In 1951 his dad retired from farming and they moved to a small farm near Iroquois.
In 1952, McMillan received notice to report for military duty. He served four years with the Air Force. After training he was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Europe, serving three years in France, Germany and England.
He received his GED while in the service, and finally, five years ago at the age of 80, he was presented his high school diploma. McMillan was quoted, “Now I can’t wait until my 50th reunion!”
It was in England at the Fish N Chip Shop that he met his wife, Shirley.  They have two daughters, Karen Sunderman and Judy Schwartz; one grandson, Jeffery Sunderman; one granddaughter, Laura Allen; and one cat, Tiffy.

McMillan moved to Huron in 1958 to attend Northwest College of Commerce. He was employed at Northwestern Public Service and then at the Bureau of Reclamation, where he retired in 1981. He then worked for JC Penny for several years.
He was baptized Lutheran but his career in his spiritual duties began in 1958, when he suddenly decided to become a Methodist! The story goes — when he and his new bride were looking for an apartment, the landlord, Mrs. Vandooze, says, “I only rent to Methodists!” Keith and Shirley became charter members of the newly formed Riverview United Methodist Church.
McMillan has served in most church committees and studies the Bible faithfully, and seeks direction in his life from what he learns in his studies.
For 37 years McMillan has been acting Lay Servant, ministering at the Esmond and Carpenter churches once a month each, and enjoys being accompanied by his granddaughter, Laura.
Although McMillan fills the pulpit for many area churches, his greatest sermons are in the way that he lives his life. As the need came to his attention for someone to hold devotions at SunQuest and Stoneybrook, McMillan did not hesitate to volunteer his time. The church secretary said he readily checks in on his own accord when the minister is out to see if there are any needs or concerns he could address.
McMillan has been a member of the Prison Fellowship for almost 20 years and visits inmates in several prisons on a weekly basis, sharing basic Christianity with those within.
He currently serves as Chaplain for both the American Legion and VFW. He is a member of the Huron Veteran’s Council, where he arranges and/or performs military honors at funerals for veterans. Family members say that vacations are few — for fear he may miss his call to duty.
McMillan is generous with his time to a fault. He visits shut-ins, willingly sits on transit buses with others so they may travel, and sits with people to give support when they would otherwise wait alone for medical appointment.
He enjoys serving meals on wheels for several organizations.
“His quiet ministry is all about God’s people” said Margo Anderson, who presented the award. “He has responded to the calling of the praise song, ‘Make Me a Servant.’
“Keith stands ready at a moment’s notice to share the Good News,” she added. “He lives Service to Mankind every day, humbly and with love.”