Don Mueller, 89, passed away at his home in Columbus, Georgia on September 2nd, 2022. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 pm Saturday, September 17th, in the Chapel at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31907.
Don was born in 1932 to Herbert and Pauline Mueller in Eldora, Iowa during the Great Depression. He was the oldest of 9 children of which 7 boys still survive, ranging in age from 72 to 86.
Don moved from Iowa to Missouri as a small boy when his parents purchased a farm near Japan, Missouri. There he, his sister and brothers learned all about hard work and farm life. Don was able to leave home at 18 after purchasing a corn picker to help lessen the farming workload on his father. Don joined the U.S. Army in 1951 and was sent to fight in the Korean War spending most of his time there in a foxhole (1952-1954). Upon coming home, he used the GI Bill to go to college. Being the oldest of a big family, Don showed the way for many of his brothers to go to college as well. Don graduated in 1958 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, from the Missouri School of Mines, now called University of Missouri – Rolla.
Don had a successful and productive career with the Army Corps of Engineers with a total of 30 years of government service and another 18 years in the private sector. He spent some notable years in Egypt building 37 irrigation pumping stations from Cairo to Aswan as part of a project for U.S. AID.
After Egypt, he and his wife, Judi purchased 24 acres with a 3 acre lake in Columbus, Georgia. He made it a 40 year hobby erecting two homes and recreational facilities to be enjoyed by his expanding family and friends.
His life motto was: if you just show up and pay attention - you are ahead of most people. He was right about that. Don was hardworking, fair minded and always willing to help a neighbor. He loved a project and truly could build anything.
He loved his family, his life on his lake, homemade ice cream, Handel's Messiah and the Hallelujah Chorus. Don’s mind remained amazingly sharp to the end. He was an avid reader devouring anything about climate change, history, science, and geology. You could always count on him to be able to identify any rock, plant, or animal.
Don is survived by his wonderful wife of 43 years, Judi Ann Richards Mueller, his three children, 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Son, Mark D. Mueller (Connie) of Louisville, Kentucky and daughters, Colette Greer Daniel (Jim) of Columbus, Georgia and Wendy Mueller Serrino (Frank) of Glencoe, Illinois. Grandchildren, Jacob (Jessica) and Parker Greer (Chelsea), Natalie, Jessie, Jack and Tommy Serrino. Great grandchildren (Oakleigh, Watson, Rowan and Harrison). He is also survived by his seven brothers, Tom, Glenn, Dale, Jerry, John, Ray and Roy. Don was pre-deceased by his beloved sister Mary Ann in 1983.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Don to the American Heart Association at heart.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Mueller family.
