Karl L. Mueller

1933 - 2021

Karl L. Mueller

Marion - Karl L. Mueller, age 87, of Marion, died on Sunday, April 18, 2021, at the Primrose Retirement Community following an extended illness.

On December 1, 1933, Karl was born in New York, New York, the only child of the late Karl and Lillian (Darcy) Mueller. He graduated high school in Queens, NY, and furthered his education at Pratt Institute with a full scholarship, earning a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.

During Karl's senior year of college, he fell for a sophomore in school, Cynthia "Cindy" Gunerman. After she graduated, they were married on June 22, 1957. They shared sixty three years of marriage.

In 1956, Karl enlisted to serve his beloved country in the US Navy, using his college degree to enter officers training after basic training. He served for twenty years, and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was stationed at several bases during his military career, including Yokohama, Japan, he was in Cuba during the Bay of Pigs, and he even served at the Pentagon. He was a public works officer, managing the facilities at the bases everywhere he went.

Upon his honorable discharge and retirement in 1976, Karl moved to Marion, Ohio, for a job opportunity at the Marion Power Shovel. He then worked at Mike Volk Construction in Mansfield, Edison Welding Research Institute in Columbus, and lastly for Pete Miller Inc. in Marion.

Karl was a member of the St. Mary Church, where he and Cindy donated countless hours of their time leading parish receptions and pre-cana courses for many years.

Learning the trade of woodworking from his father, Karl enjoyed the craft for much of his life. He was proud of several pieces of furniture he was able to make, such as wing back chairs.

Seeing much of the world together, Karl and Cindy truly enjoyed traveling. Some of their most memorable adventures, were their trips on small Native American cruise ships, taken deep into nature in different parts of Alaska and Canada.

Karl will be remembered as an honest man of integrity, who always called it like he saw it.

Karl will be missed by his wife, Cynthia Mueller; two children: Rt. MSG Andrew (Mila) Mueller of Ft. Worth, TX, and Wendy (Brian) Deffenbaugh of Lewis Center; three grandchildren: Chelsea and Joshua Deffenbaugh, and Erin (Cayn) Jennice; and one great-granddaughter, Rowan Jennice.

Including his parents, Karl was preceded in death by his oldest son, Richard Mueller.

His family will greet friends from 4 - 6 pm on Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Snyder Funeral Homes, Gunder/Hall Chapel, 347 W. Center St., Marion. A funeral mass in his honor will be held at 11 am on Saturday, at St. Mary Church, 251 N. Main St., Marion, with Father Kyle Tennant officiating. Masks will be required for everyone in attendance of his services. Military honors will be held immediately following his services at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Forever grateful, his family would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to everyone at the Primrose Retirement Community for their loving care of Karl.

Snyder Funeral Homes of Marion are honored to serve Karl's family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.