David and Joy Mueller

David Martin Mueller

March 10, 1962 - October 25, 2023

Joy Marie Mueller

August 27, 1962 - October 25, 2023

David and Joy Mueller entered into the Glory of God together October 25, 2023 due to a tragic car accident while serving as missionaries in Kenya. Both were 61 years old and had enjoyed 39 years of marriage. Having crossed the finish line and inherited their crowns of glory, they now hear the words, “Well done my good and faithful servants.” Matthew 25:23

Dave was born to Wesley and Barbara Mueller March 10, 1962, in Grand Rapids, MI. Dave was the youngest of three and was passionate about fishing from a young age. Although he struggled with dyslexia, he loved reading fishing magazines and learned best through this passion. From a young age, he worked with his hands and could build and fix anything. He graduated from Wyoming High School in 1980.

Joy was born to Alfred and Nancy Miller August 27, 1962, in Grand Rapids, MI. She was the youngest of four and always had an energetic, bubbly personality. Her love language has always been cooking; she was an absolute marvel in the kitchen. And she seemed to have an endless store of energy and practical love. Joy graduated from Grand Rapids Baptist Academy in 1980.

Dave and Joy met at New Hall Baptist Church, where their families had attended since they were both little. They eloped September 7, 1984 to get paperwork started so Joy could go with Dave on his deployment to Germany as a crewman in the Army. They had a ceremony with friends and family February 22, 1985.

Dave and Joy have three sons along with their three daughters-in-law Ian and Stephanie, Forrest and Alexa, Cameron and Tori. They have four grandsons Cayde (three years), Emmitt (two years), Solomon (one and a half years), and Pierce (three weeks old). They were so proud of all their sons, their daughters by marriage, and their grandsons. They loved spending time with each other and their family going on adventures, spending time outdoors, and staying physically fit.

In 1992, Dave and Joy graduated from Missionary Training Center of New Tribes Mission in Missouri. They started their missionary journey in Papua New Guinea doing Bible translation work among the tribes. All three of their boys grew up on the mission field. Their family time was mostly spent exploring the surrounding nature (fishing, swimming, scuba diving).

In 2006, Dave and Joy moved their family to war-ravaged Southern Sudan, where they worked with Closed Door Ministries and Partners in Compassionate Care to build a hospital. Here Dave worked with his hands to build a hospital with limited resources and Joy started ministering to the numerous widows in the area.

In 2010, Dave and Joy were appointed Executive Directors of Kenya Hope where they served faithfully for 13 years. Through their work with Kenya Hope, they provided clean water, widow skill training, student sponsorship, drought-driven food relief, and audio Bibles to the Maasai people in rural Kenya and in the Kibera slums. Joy was called "Mama" by hundreds in Kenya and was loved dearly by the widows. Dave was looked up to by so many young men who worked alongside him to build water towers, solar systems, school buildings, irrigation systems, etc.

Dave and Joy are preceded in death by Dave’s father, Wesley and Joy’s mother, Nancy. They are survived by Dave’s mother, Barbara; sister, Sharon (Randy); brother, Steve (Shelley). They are also survived by Joy’s father, Alfred; brother, Tom; sister, Grace; and brother, John. They will be lovingly missed by children Ian (Stephanie), Forrest (Alexa), and Cameron (Tori); and four grandchildren Cayde, Emmitt, Solomon, and Pierce.

“I took a few more minutes from my perch to process my feelings and contemplate the lesson I had just experienced: dying to self and our own agendas…I am even more humbled and honored that God continues to use me, a flawed human, to bring his message of love and hope to others. Once again I’ve learned in the school of faith there are no graduates, just interns.” -Dave Mueller (September 2023 Kenya Hope Newsletter)

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

A celebration of life for Dave and Joy will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Calvary Church, 707 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, with visitation from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. prior to the service. Join the service via livestream: https//calvarygr.online.church/

The Mueller family invites guests to wear any pieces of Kenyan jewelry in honor of Dave and Joy's service to Kenya Hope.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kenya Hope, PO Box 554, Hudsonville, MI. 49426. (Memo line - Mueller Memorial). Online donations: https://www.kenyahope.org/give-to-kenya-hope/

(Drop box: Mueller Memorial). The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresgrandville.com

Hotel Room Block:

For those who are coming from out of town we have blocked off rooms at Country Inn and Suites, 3251 Deposit Dr. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49546. There are some rooms with 1 king bed and some with two queen beds. Each room is at a discounted rate of $140 per night. They are reserved for Friday night through Sunday night but you don’t have to book all three nights. To book the rooms under the block call 616-320-5946 and request rooms under “Mueller Family Gathering.” Rooms must be booked before midnight Thursday 2nd.