Nell Beth Mueller

Nell was born Feb. 9, 1922 in Hamilton, IL the daughter of Elmer and Elsie Coulter Hawkins. She married Grant F. Mueller June 25, 1949. She attended Western Illinois University and taught six elementary grades by herself in a one room schoolhouse in Sutter, IL. She later taught school in Hamilton (Hancock County) and later at Palmer Elementary School in Springfield. A former student at Palmer Elementary School, Ms. Bette Lewis commented “Nell Mueller, who I knew at Palmer as Miss Hawkins, was a beautiful woman. She was a very kind woman. She was a wonderful and devoted teacher. And she always seemed to have a smile for everyone”.

She was a member of Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church, volunteered at the Red Balloon Salvation Army Thrift Store and was a supporter of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Animal Protective League. She was a strong supporter of Springfield College in Illinois and was an important figure in the transition of Springfield College in Illinois to Benedictine University at Springfield.

She is survived by her husband, Grant; sons, Jeff Mueller and his wife Maribel Rosario, Eric Mueller and his wife, Kathy A. Mueller; three grandchildren Whitney Brooke Mueller, Leif Richard Mueller and Lance Phillip Mueller. She was preceded in death by her son Phillip Mueller, who died in 1989.

Friends may call Thursday Jan. 19, 2012 at Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel from 10:00 AM until the time of services there at 11:00 AM with Rev. Julia Melgreen officiating. Interment will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Rd. Springfield, IL. 62702. (www.boardman-smith.net).