Warren Franklin Mugler

Warren F. Mugler was born on October 25, 1920 into the farming family of Henry and Joy (Harrison) Mugler in Bala, Kansas. He attended Laurel one-room schoolhouse and skipped third grade. He graduated first in his class from Leonardville High School in 1937. After working for a year delivering gasoline to farmers to help pay for school, Warren attended, and later graduated from, Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree. (He was very proud that his parents were able to send three children to college while running an 80-acre farm.) While attending Westmar, he met Elaine Mittag. Following his World War II service, they were married in Bismarck, North Dakota on May 5, 1945.

Warren served in the Army Air Corps as the pilot of a B-24 bomber crew, based in Italy and flying missions in Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe. After surviving being shot down over Yugoslavia, he completed his service and received the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters.

Following the war he joined United Airlines. He and Elaine lived in Chicago where their son, Larry, was born. United transferred him to Denver and son Dale was added to the family. Warren was with United for 35 years, piloting a number of aircraft. He ended his career as a flight manager for DC-10 pilots out of Denver, as well as serving the Denver-Honolulu route.

Warren was an active member of Evanston United Methodist Church, serving in a number of leadership capacities. In addition to church activities, he enjoyed travel, woodworking and music (the four Muglers often provided special music at church).

He is survived by sons Larry (Judy) Mugler and Dale (Karla) Mugler, and grandchildren Jonathan (Angela) Mugler, Allison (Cory) Hawk, Paul (Andrea) Mugler, and Emily Mugler, and eight great-grandchildren (Luke, Annabelle, Riley, Elaina, Hudson, Madeleine, Brooks and John).