Skye Elaine McMillin
January 26, 2008

"Welcome home little angel. There is no greater joy to God than the death of a saint. Your pain will heal and in time you will be together again."

"We did not know Skye but we wanted your family to know that we are all thinking about you and have prayed for your comfort! Staff at Essex Child Care Center! "

"To Rick and family - I have just heard about Skye's passing. I am so sorry. My heart aches for you and Bubba. I know it has been a lot of years since I have since the kids, but I have fond memories of sweet little Skye's beautiful smile. She graced this world with love and laughter. You and your family will be in my thoughts. Your friend, Mandy (Runyan)Steffen"

"To Skye's family and friends-I am sorry for your loss. Skye was one of my pe students and I enjoyed having her in class. She was always friendly to all of her classmates and was always positive with them. Skye had a way of making class and life, upbeat and fun. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. "

"As I look at all the messages sent, I realize what a reflection it is on Skye's life and her impact on her friends and family. Nothing can take away the loss but I hope you get some comfort in knowing how important she was in all our lives. Skye added my class second semester so I was only blessed with her presence for a few short weeks. It was long enough for me to realize what everyone else has said. She was such a positive and lively inflence at East Mills High. Thank you for sharing her with us!"

"im really sorry for your loss... we all miss her so much ... god bless"

"Your family are in my thoughts at this time. I did not know Skye but by reading all the nice things everyone has wrote I know she was a joy to be around. My mom and children were with me the night of the accident and we stopped to help. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that the resscue personel did every thin possible for her. God Bless."

"I was reading the Opinion-Tribune online when I learned of Skye's death. I am truly sorry for your loss. I was a teacher at Malvern last year and I had the privilage of having Skye as a student in English 9. She was wonderful and always had a smile on her face. I always enjoyed seeing her at other events and watching the way she interacted with my kids. They loved spending time with her and I loved seeing her smile. Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend the services. I am in Atlanta, GA with my husband for a training and will not be home until Saturday. Please know that we will be with you in our prayers. I miss being in the area, but I truly know that I will miss Skye's smile the most! My sympathies and prayers are with your family and the East Mills family as well. May God's comfort surround you, Jenny Marburger"

"To the McMillin Family..Im sorry for your loss of Skye she was a friend to me i use to go to her house when i use to live in Henderson and we all would ride bikes together she will be in my thoughts and prayers i will miss her "

"Amy, we empathize with your pain of Skye's loss. We always enjoyed the time spent with her. We all love Skye and will miss her. Take care of yourself."

"I cannot imagine your loss or level of despair. I can say that my family is praying for you. God is the Great Comforter and He will carry you through this. God also wants you not to dwell on your loss, but to celebrate the 16 years that you did have with Skye. She was a gift to you from God. The day will come again that you'll be able to talk about Skye and laugh about something she did or said. She would want you to remember her zeal for life, her compassion for others, and her smile. Skye will live forever--in your heart. "

"Gods Speed Skye McMillin. You will be missed by all."

"Our deepest sympathy to Skye's family and friends. You remain in our thoughts and prayers."

"I am so sorry for your loss. Words cannot take away the pain but know that your loss is shared by many. I will always remember "the girls" enjoying swimming and catching a few rays in my pool. Skye was such a wonderful girl!"

"To the McMillin Family & Friends For Skye Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting; The soul that rises with us, our life�??s star, Hath had elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar: Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home. William Wordsworth Ode: Intimations of Immortality, 1805 As Skye�??s instructor, homeroom teacher, advisor; and Junior Class sponsor, Skye�??s smiling and enthusiastic face was one of the first I got to know in my initial days of teaching at East Mills High School. And what a bright and welcome face it was! Ritually, every morning around 8:15, Skye would greet me with a big, purposely booming, �??Hey, Mr. Carey! What�??s up! I�??m here and I want lunch today!�?� I�??d say, �??My dear Skye, how can the voice of such fair and lovely young lady nearly knock me out of my chair every morning?�?� She�??d respond at the same volume, �??I don�??t know Mr. Carey! That�??s just the way I am I guess�?�! She sure was, emphatically! It was hard to be gloomy or to have a bad day if Skye was anywhere in the vicinity. Her big smile, sparkling blue eyes, and booming (when she wanted it to be) upbeat voice had the ability to shake everything negative out of one�??s head. No matter how out of sorts, one�??s heart responded to hers with a �??Why yes, now that you�??ve pointed out, it is good to be alive, to share this moment and this day with my students. What a blessing it is to be a teacher!�?� Her love of life, and her ability to live fully and cheerfully in the moment was unparalleled in the school and very contagious. After our ritual morning greeting, I�??d feel lighter and younger, and think of William Wordsworth�??s lines: Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, But to be young was very heaven! The Prelude, 1799 Many of her classmates had to be �??persuaded�?� to help with Junior Class fundraisers or did not help at all. But Skye always volunteered. Before break, she was helping out at the concession stand during a game even though it wasn�??t her shift. She saw we were short-handed, so she came over to help. She sang and danced even spun around as she did. When customers came up to buy their hotdogs, pretzels and pop, Skye stopped just long enough to take their orders. Then, she went right back to her singing and dancing and kept at it even as she gave her customers their food and change. Each one, no matter the community he or she came from, went away smiling and with a lighter heart. She didn�??t sing and dance to be �??outrageous�?� or to impress her classmates. Only one other classmate was present. She sang and danced because she was happy, because it felt good to be who she was and alive, even while doing what most of her classmates found unpleasant and didn�??t want to do, (perhaps, if truth be known, even one or two of the class sponsors, too!). Others might complain, but Skye did just the opposite, during multiple shifts to cover for her absent classmates. She transformed a dreary chore into a celebration. Skye was the right name for her. She seemed sky-high on life and had the rare celebratory pureness of heart to take people up with her and make them realize how beautiful life is. �?�that best portion of a good man's life, His little, nameless, unremembered, acts Of kindness and of love. William Wordsworth �??Tintern Abbey,�?� 1798 It now seems that while she lived, she lived, deeply and intensely. It was as if her heart or soul knew something her mind didn�??t and she instinctively squeezed as much happiness into her too-short life as possible. In class, she was the same, albeit in a soft-spoken and studious way. For this teacher, she was a godsend and a joy, one of the few in that particular class who listened, tried to understand, did her assignments and came to the teacher for help if she felt she needed it. That is the highest compliment a student can give a teacher, the best way a student can say, �??Thank you,�?� and show respect. That is what I want to do now, to say, �??Thank you,�?� to Skye, to her parents and to God for allowing me to share the brief time we had together on earth. The parts of her life that Skye gave to me and I will always keep and treasure are her infectious joie de vie; her endless effervescence; and her ability to make others feel better without seeming to try, or take credit, without, perhaps, even knowing it. The greatest compliment and show of respect we can give Skye now, is to keep her love and joy alive in our hearts, to make sure to keep those candles burning. Though nothing can bring back the hour Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower; We will grieve not, rather find Strength in what remains behind. William Wordsworth Ode: Intimations of Immortality, 1805 With love and condolences, in remembrance, Michael Carey "

"Skye was a wonderful person! She was always happy and loved to have a great time. I will never forget the great times we had in Mr. Stewart's class 7th hour. She would just randomly show up and begin telling us a joke or funny story. Basketball games will not be the same without her cheering next to me. She was the only person in the school who could actually yell louder than me! McMillin family you are in my prayers! God bless! Your daughter was very loved!"

"To all Skyes family and friends, I had the pleasure and privilage to be Skyes bus driver a few years ago. Although I didn't get to know her as well as most of you, she was a neat young lady that made my life just that much brighter. Her beautiful smile and energetic personality was heart warming, and I'm thankful for being able to know her. I feel her loss and miss her as you do, and will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest condolences to all. "

"I am so very sorry for your loss. Amy, I was your friend when we were very young before I moved away to Texas. When my sister told me about your loss, I had to tell you that you and yours that you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Please know that I am here if you need anything. God Bless. Linda & Kayla Brown"

"Amy & Family, I was truely saddened when I heard the news of your loss, there is no greater pain as the loss of a child. You are in my thoughts & prayers. Deb (Grudle)Blatny Dave Blatny"

"I only had Skye for a very short time during her junior year at East Mills High School. She was such a positive spirit and never worried whether someone was from Nishna Valley or Malvern. Her love for life was apparent in her smile and laugh. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to get to know Skye. You are all in my thoughts and prayers."

"To Skye's family and friends, The Hamburg students and staff are thinking of each of you. We have lost students in our district and it was the strength, love and courage that carried us through and will carry you during your time of sorrow. Our small corner conference schools hold a deep bond and when a member of one of our neighboring schools hurts, we do too. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. "

" I want to tell you that I am greatly sorry for your loss; YOUR loss is OUR loss too. SKYE was so bursting with life and so very bubbly. Because she was so bubbly, she was always able to cheer any one up! She was also a kind, wonderful school mate,and beautiful young lady. She will always be remembered by me and my family. EVERYONE here at EAST MILLS HIGH SCHOOL already misses her like crazy! Sincerely, NIA BLACKMAN"

"I'm so sorry this happened. I wish I was there.You are in my thoughts & prayers Love Great Aunt Willadene"

"to the McMillin family and other loved ones, I'm really sorry about Skye. She was a very fun person to be around. I was never with Skye a lot but in the times that we were I found her to be a really awesome person and very high spirited. Her laugh was very contagious and she had a very beautiful smile. She will be missed and we will always remember her. My thoughts and prayers are with you all."

"to the McMillin family and other loved ones, I'm really sorry about Skye. She was a very fun person to be around. I was never with Skye a lot but in the times that we were I found her to be a really awesome person and very high spirited. Her laugh was very contagious and she had a very beautiful smile. She will be missed and we will always remember her. My thoughts and prayers are with you all."

"To Skye's family and friends, The Hamburg students and staff are thinking of each of you. We have lost students in our district and it was the strength, love and courage that carried us through and will carry you during your time of sorrow. Our small corner conference schools hold a deep bond and when a member of one of our neighboring schools hurts, we do too. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Hamburg Middle School, Kim Madison, Rhesa Leiding, Nancy Witter, Jacki Barrett and Hamburg Middle School students"

"I want to tell you and your family I am SO sorry for your lost!!!! She was so bubbly, loud, funny, and careing!! Playing Volleyball with her was a BLAST!!! And I will never forget what she would always say to me every day!!!I know how it feels to loose a love one i lost my 19 old brother in a car accident but he died instantly and it took me FOREVER to get over it but i still see it in my mind and now i have to try to get over Skye!!! But I dont think I ever will!! We all miss her so much and we will always love her!!!!! ~*~*~ R.I.P Skye~*~*~*~"

"Dear Amy, My deepest, deepest heartfelt sympathy to you and your family and Greg. I remember "fun escapades" of Skye's that you would tell at work and we all would chuckle. Then angels have her now and she will always be with you in your heart. I wish you peace. Love, Linda gambill Ewald Friend and former Co-worker , "

"Dear Amy, My deepest, deepest heartfelt sympathy to you and your family and Greg. I remember "fun escapades" of Skye's that you would tell at work and we all would chuckle. The angels have her now and she will always be with you in your heart. I wish you peace. Love, Linda gambill Ewald Friend and former Co-worker , "

"rick and mom i miss skye soo much and i love her soo muchwr8E"

"Amy and family, we are so sorry to hear about your tragic loss of Skye. Although we had never met her, we had known her grandpa Mike and many other relative for many years. Skye sounds like she was any amazing and special person and will be remembered by all that she met with a smile. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this tragic time. Easton families Macedonia, IA"

"I want to express my deepest sympathy to Skye's family. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to know and teach Skye. She was truly a positive influence in the classroom; she touched many lives, and we are all better people for having shared time with her."

"We are truely sorry about Skye's death. She was an amazing classmate that will never be forgotten. "

"We are so sorry for your loss. Words never are available that seem appropriate to express the sorrow we feel. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you. Respectfully, Gail, Joni and Libby Ernst"

"To the families of Skye: I'm so sorry for your loss. When Skye was a little girl, she attended my preschool(Kid Korner)in Oakland. You are in my thoughts and prayers"

"Amy, I am sorry for your loss, you are in my thoughts and prayers. "

"Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers and Skye will be very missed. We enjoyed her sense of humor and beautiful smile. She was definitely one of a kind and one of the sweetest people we ever came to know."

"I miss her already. She was always so positive and quick with a smile, even when she was dealing with hardships. Life just seems so unfair. I'm so sorry you've lost her. Skye was a young woman with so much potential. She worked so hard in school, even though it was hard for her. No one ever uttered a bad word about this beautiful, young woman. I'm so glad she isn't suffering and now I know, your suffering is beginning. Take care, and just find comfort in the fact she was loved by so many. I feel so lucky to have had her in my life. Shepositively enhanced the lives of whomever she came in contact. "

"We give you our deepest sympathies. Skye was an amazing person and will never be forgotten. God Bless."

"Our prayers are with you all. Skye will always be in our hearts. She was such a wonderful gift and will always be remembered."

"We were so sadden to hear about your lost. Our prayers are with all the families during this time of mourning. We have not seen Skye in many years but from reading the messages she must have been a sweet and wonderful person. You are in our thoughts."

"Rick and all of the McMillin Family: Tim and I were deeply saddened to hear of your loss. If there is ANYTHING that we can do for you please give us a call. We will be thinking of you and praying for you. May God be will all of you through this time of need in your lives. "

"I am so terribly sorry. I did not know Skye but I am sure she was loved by many. I went to school with Rick and my husband works with he and his dad. I also bowled several years ago with Linda McMillin. Your family is so nice and I don't know why bad things happen to good people. I hope your family can help each other through this tragic time. Lean on each other and support each other. "

"I am truely sorry for your loss. Skye was a great person and will be greatly missed. My sympathies to you and the whole McMillin family. "

"To the families of Skye: We are sorry to hear about your loss. Our Thought and Prayers are with you and your family. "

"I want you to know that my prayers and thoughts are with you all. I am the grandmother of one of Skye's classmates, and I had an opportunity to get to know her. She will be missed. God bless you all."

"to Skye and her family: I want to send my condolences and prayers to all of you from myself and our entire girls basketball team at East Mills. Even though Skye was not a player on our team, she was close to many of the team members and I enjoyed watching her play volleyball this fall. I did have a chance to visit with on a few occasions and I found her a pleasant and wonderful young lady. May God give you strength and courage during this difficult time and may your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ carry you through. Coach Bertini (girls basketball coach of East Mills)"

"Dear Family, I am praying for the family to have peace. I know what it is like to lose someone so hung in a tragic accident. I lost my 23 year old son to a drowning accident in July of last year. If there is anything that we can do please let us know."

"Skye was such a wonderful young lady. I don't think I ever saw her without a smile on her face. Unlike most high school kids, she was always so kind and accepting of the younger kids at Nishna Valley. We will keep you in our thoughts."

"We are so sorry for your loss. What wonderful memorials to Skye. Even though we do not know you or Skye personally, we share a common bond. Our daughter Brooke was 17; she also was a volleyball player (from Hamburg). She was killed in a car wreck on Septemer 15th, 1998. As someone once wrote us, "Our hearts bleed for you.". Mike and Deb Michel "

" To the whole McMillin Family: Words cannot express how sorry I am for your loss. I remember babysitting Skye and she was a sweet girl. My heartfelt sympathies go out to Bob and Linda, Rick, Amy, Jesse, etc. May God be with you and comfort you at this time. You are in my thoughts and prayers! Love, Danee (Johnson) Heidelberger"

"To the McMillin Family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God plucks the flowers for His garden when they are the most beautiful."

"We were so sad to hear of Skye's passing, and struggle to find the magic words that will bring you comfort and ease your pain, but there are none. I just hope that all of your memories and love you share will give you strength, and each time you think of Skye you are filled with her love and you smile...just wanted you to know we are thinking of you and keeping you all in our prayers. With our deepest sympathies"

""

"My deepest sympathies to the McMillin Family. May you know that you are in our prayers. God Bless."

"Rick, You and your family are in my prayers. I pray that God will provide you with comfort at this time and a lifetime of good memories."

"May you find comfort in tears AND memories. Prayers and Hugs of Strength from our family to those that mourn this tragic loss..."

"My thoughts are prayers are with you all at this time. "

"We are thinking of your family. You are in our prayers. "

"To Rick and the McMillin Family- I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are prayers are with you and your family. May God bless and guide you through this difficult time. "

"i am so sorry for your loss,,,, skye was a very sweet girl she will be greatly missed sincrly paige"

"Our hearts ache for your loss. You are in our prayers. Skye was such a fun, lively, loving spirit. She always brightened our home when she came over. She will always be remembered in our hearts."