Rev. Howard W. Mueller

He grew up on a farm near Taylor Ridge, Illinois, and was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at Zion Lutheran Church, Taylor Ridge, Illinois. He was one of 5 children: Gilbert (d. 2022), Clarence (d. 2012), Stanley, and Jane.

He followed his brother Gilbert into the ministry, graduating from St. John’s College, Winfield, Kansas, in 1955; and from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1961.

On June 11, 1961, he was joined in Holy Marriage to Joyce A. Barber at Trinity Lutheran Church, Freistatt, Missouri.

He was ordained into the Holy Ministry of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod on July 23, 1961, at Zion Lutheran Church in Avon, South Dakota, serving there until 1965. He received and accepted a call to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Doniphan, Nebraska, and Grace Lutheran Church, Wood River, Nebraska, serving Grace Lutheran until 1975 and St. Paul Lutheran until 1977. He received and accepted a call to serve Zion Lutheran Church, Pocahontas, Missouri, and Trinity Lutheran Church, Shawneetown, Missouri, and served these two congregations for 23.5 years before retiring in June 2001. Throughout his 40 years of ministry the Lord used him to faithfully preach the Word of God and administer the Lord’s Sacraments.

Howard and Joyce then moved to Davenport, Iowa, and were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Davenport for nearly 15 years, where they enjoyed living and serving among the Lord’s people as “retirees.” They moved to Hemlock, Michigan in 2016 and were members at St. Peter Lutheran Church where they remained active in Bible study class and attending church services. In 2019 they moved to Austin, Texas, joining the church family of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Olga Mueller, brother Gilbert, sister-in-law Donna, brother Clarence, and sister-in-law JoAnne. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Joyce Ann, son Jonathan and his wife Dawn of Austin, Texas, daughter Kathryn and her husband Rev. Daniel Feusse of Clearwater, Nebraska, son Matthew and his wife Fanny of Brooklyn, New York, brother Stanley and his wife Dorothy of Milan, Illinois, sister Jane and her husband Rev. Gary Harroun of Herrin, Illinois; grandchildren Stephanie Garza, Rebecca Gonzalez, Sarah Theriot, Cloe Mueller, Hannah Mars, Roman Mueller, Nathaniel Mueller, Matthew Feusse, Milan Mueller, and Nathan Feusse; one great-grandchild, Miriam Theriot; and several nieces and nephews.

It has pleased Almighty God to call from this vale of tears to Himself in heaven our brother in the faith, Howard Walter Mueller, who departed this life on Sunday July 10, in the year of our Lord 2022, having attained the age of 88 years, one month, and 22 days. The Lord gives, the Lord takes away.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Memorials in Rev. Mueller's name may be sent to: St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3501 Red River St, Austin, TX 78705, designated for either: CONCORDIA SEMINARY (St. Louis):Endowment Fund or LUTHERANS in AFRICA.

A visitation for Rev. Mueller will be held Thursday, July 14, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3501 Red River Street, Austin, Texas 78705, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.

A second visitation and service will be held Wednesday, July 20, 2022 from 10:00 AM -11:00 AM at The Runge Mortuary, 838 E Kimberly Rd, Davenport, Iowa. Interment will follow at the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Taylor Ridge, Illinois