Anita Elaine "Penny" Mueller

WEST FRANKFORT - Anita Elaine "Penny" Mueller, (nee Finn), 71, of Springfield, passed away at home on Sunday, May 12, 2024, with her family by her side.

Penny was born at UMWA hospital in Christopher, the daughter of Robert Eugene and Julia Joan Furlong Finn of West Frankfort, on Oct. .10, 1952. She graduated from West Frankfort Community High School with the class of 1970.

Penny graduated from Memorial School of Nursing in 1974 as a registered nurse. She was proud of her work with the Illinois Department of Health Emergency Services where she educated several hundred trauma nurses for emergency rooms in rural hospitals and was one of the first flight nurses for helicopters in Illinois. In 1986, she obtained a bachelor's in Health Services Administration from the University of Illinois, Springfield and began a master's in gerontology. She began her long career with Springfield Memorial Hospital and Springfield Clinic. Penny made many friends there and advanced to a hospital administration position; she retired in 2009.

Penny married Paul Mueller in Beardstown, in 1982. Together they shared 42 years of marriage, working in the same hospital and enjoying many pleasant summer weekends on their houseboat at Alton Marina on the Mississippi River. After retirement, they spent more time there and made many close friends. Penny was devoted to her family in Southern Illinois and traveled home frequently to visit and help. She enjoyed cooking, boating, flower gardening, reading and sewing.

Penny is survived by her husband, Paul; their son, Robert William Mueller of Springfield; her siblings, Debbie (Doug) Cordts of West Frankfort, Bob J. (Bennie) Finn of Herrin and Mary (Gary) Poole of Benton; sister-in-law, Carol (Larry) Cummings of Springfield; nieces and nephews, Chris (Jennifer) Finn of West Frankfort, Scott (Kristine) Cordts of Evansville, Stephanie (Greg) Brown of Marion, Elizabeth Finn and (Biyi) Jones of Belleville, Greg (Courtney) Poole of Benton, Sara Johnson of St. Charles, Missouri, and Aaron Cummings of Springfield; as well as several grand-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents. Penny was loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her optimism will surely be a comfort for her family and friends.

Cremation will be provided prior to ceremonies.

A private memorial services is planned for the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Penny requested donations be made to WSIU Public Broadcasting, Attn: Membership Services, 1100 Lincoln Dr., SIU mailcode 6602, Carbondale, IL 62901 or the link on the website www.siu.org.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.

Visit butlerspringfield.com to offer your condolences.