Barbara Miriam Mueller

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955 from Ball State Teachers College and a Master of Arts degree in 1965 from Ball State University. She married her husband, Erwin C. Mueller, in 1955 on her graduation from Ball State and his graduation from Northwestern University.

Born in Muncie, Indiana, to Lloyd and Bessie (Corrello) Doolitle on July 6, 1933, Barbara Miriam Doolitle was a Muncie Central High School graduate and a proud Indiana resident involved in both business and artistic adventures.

She taught elementary music and piano at Cadek Conservatory in Chattanooga, TN, elementary art and music in Marion County, high school choirs at Decatur High School, Plainfield, IN, and, in 1974 at Broad Ripple High School, Indianapolis. Teaching at Broad Ripple High School was the high point of her teaching career. She also taught private piano at the Paul-Mueller Studio in Indianapolis. Part-time assignments in 1984 included elementary music classes at Ball State University and various classes at Ivy Tech University. She was an excellent pianist and accompanied many, many percussion recitals and competitions.

Barbara owned the Stretch and Sew Store in Muncie for 10 years and also worked at Gaunt Jewelers. She worked at the Muncie YWCA Volunteer Services, was Director of Women and Children and was on the board there for six years.

She was a member of the Riley Jones Club, president for three years, treasurer and later president of the Foundation. She was president of Muncie Alumni Chapter of Sigma Alpha lota, National Music Fraternity for Women, several times, and was secretary "occasionally",.

More recently, the David and Mary Jane Sursa Lobby of the David and Mary Jane Sursa Performance Hall at Ball State was named the Barbara D. and Erwin C. Mueller Lobby. Barbara and her husband were also made members of the Founders Society of Ball State University.

She was a member of the Board of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra League, alumnae adviser to Sigma Alpha lota - Iota Chi at Ball State University for 17 years, and Province Officer for Beta B Province for six years.

In her personal time, her hobbies included designing her yard, oil and watercolor painting, sewing, machine embroidery, decorating and travelling.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Bessie Doolittle, and her six brothers, Donald G. Doolitle, Fred Doolittle, Kenneth Doolittle, Sylvester Doolittle, John Doolitle, and William Waechter.

Survivors include her loving husband of 70 years, Erwin C. Mueller; three sisters-in-law. Madelynn (Fred), Monte (John) and Rita Waechter (Bill); numerous nieces and nephews; and former percussion students who became a bonus family: Cheryl Guise, Cara Pittenger, and Nathan Shew.

A funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 W. Kilgore Ave., Muncie, IN 47304 with a graveside service to follow. Friends may visit with the family from 12 pm until the time of the service on Saturday, at the funeral home.

To honor Barbara's memory, donations may be made to the Barbara D. and Erwin C. Mueller Scholarship Fund by sending a check payable to Ball State University Foundation, 2800 W. Bethel Ave., Muncie, IN 47306. Please include "Fund Number 30263" in the memo line. Contributions may also be made to the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 1236, Muncie, IN 47308.