Phyllis Mueller

1929 - 2016

Phyllis Mueller

Phyllis S. Mueller, nee Smith, of New Athens, Ill., born Sept. 4, 1929, in Erie, Pa., passed away June 28, 2016, at St. Paul's Home in Belleville, Ill.

Mrs. Mueller proudly and honorably served her country as a United States Air Force officer from 1957 to 1963. She was the WAF squadron commander at the Syracuse, N.Y. Air Force Station of the 32nd Air Division in 1958. Phyllis was a 1951 graduate of Greensboro, N.C. College. She later obtained her MBA from the University of West Florida in Pensacola. After graduation, she worked as a financial planner.

Phyllis was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in New Athens where she was active in the Women's Guild. During her membership, she served on various committees, held offices and volunteered at the CESNA Shop. Phyllis enjoyed playing competitive bridge and other card games. She loved traveling, visiting all 50 states and 20 countries and particularly enjoyed taking cruises.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Adam and Dorothy Smith; her first husband, Donald Brown of Wilmington, N.C.; and an infant son, Christian Mueller.

Surviving are her husband of 58 years, Donald Mueller; her sister, Elaine, nee Smith, Mayr-Seifert (husband Howard) of Harbor Creek, Pa.; brother-in-law, Robert L. (Alice) Mueller of New Athens; four nephews, Frank "Bud" (Lori) Mayr of Yardley, Pa., James (Michelle) Mayr of Harbor Creek, Pa., Thomas (Vicki) Mayr and William (Susan) Mayr of Wilmington, N.C.; and two nieces, Marlene Mueller of Belleville, Ill., and Kathy (Ralph) Eckart of New Athens, Ill. She is also survived by extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made to St. John United Church of Christ in New Athens, Ill.

Funeral: Memorial services are tentatively scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 31, 2016, at St. John United Church of Christ in New Athens with the Rev. Dr. Robert Koch officiating.

HEIL-SCHUESSLER FUNERAL HOME, New Athens, Ill.