Corbin Recycling Director Steve Mills dies

 Corbin Recycling Center Director Steve Mills will be laid to rest this weekend.

The 35-year-old was found dead at his home Thursday morning.

Mills worked for the city for 15 years and has overseen operations at the recycling center for more than five years.

Corbin Alcohol Beverage Control Administrator Clara Patterson said she was shocked when she received the news.

“I thought the world of him,” Patterson said, noting when her mother took her recycling to the center, Mills made a point of taking care of her.

“He is not just a colleague he is a dear friend,” she said.

Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney said Mills was very conscientious about his job and was always looking for ways to improve the recycling center.

“When Steve was in the office Tuesday, we were talking about how much recycling had grown to the point where it had outgrown the current building,” McBurney said, noting Mills began working for the city in the public works department and moved over to the recycling center when the recycling program was established.

“We promoted Steve to head up recycling because he knew all the in’s and out’s,” McBurney said.

McBurney said Mills had suffered health problems, including diabetes, and was on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.

Even though Mills was undergoing dialysis, he continued his regular work schedule.

“He is just a wonderful person,” Patterson said.

Visitation of family and friends is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Saturday at Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home in Corbin. The funeral is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday.