When the doors first opened at 3 p.m. on Feb. 4 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Montgomery City, the Carol Mills Retirement Reception drew a big crowd as 25 people were in attendance.

Then, that number got bigger.

Over 100 area residents attended the two-hour reception that honored Mills, who has retired as director of Schlanker Funeral Home after 23 years. The event included Schlanker Funeral Home owner Todd Yager and former owner Bob Schlanker.

“I was really overwhelmed with the crowd that was here,” Mills said.

Mills received numerous thank you cards and a rocking chair. Cake and punch were served at the reception.

“Carol is an amazing person,” said Yager, who has owned the funeral home since 2016. “When we posted about having a reception online, I was thinking to myself, ‘How would you define her?’ She’s the kindest person. She’s the most caring person. During my whole career, I’ve been a mortician for almost 30 years, and I pretty much worked around all men. When I started working around Carol, it almost taught me that you can have a softer heart.”

Mills worked part-time at the funeral home in 1999 before being promoted to full-time the following year. She worked at a bank before joining the Schlanker staff.

“She was able to empathize with the folks, be there and hold their hands and cry with them,” said Schlanker, who joined the family-owned business in 1972. “There were real tears. She’s that type of person. She’s sweet. We’re all blessed to live in a very caring community, but we’re all blessed to have Carol all of these years.”

The Schlanker family established the funeral home in 1946. Mills said the Schlankers were helpful to her during her tenure as director.

“They taught me well,” Mills said. “They always included me as part of their family. I hope I didn’t let them down over the years.”

Mills announced in January that she was going to retire as director. Irelynn Kobusch will take over director duties.

“When I took over Schlanker, replacing Carol was the only thing I had concerns about,” said Yager, who also owns Myers, Arnold and Pickering funeral homes. “I never ever had a thought that I need to be worried about anything.”

After Mills made a seven-minute speech, she drew a big round of applause.

“Each one of you has touched my heart,” Mills told the audience. “You’ll be in my heart forever.”