MUELLER, CARL WILLIAM, 84, passed away peacefully on Saturday June 25, 2011 at the Sam Swope Personal Care facility of the Masonic Home.
It was a beautiful day, fitting for the abounding love and affection shown to Carl in his final hours by his children, grandchildren, his sister, his companion and childhood friends.
Carl was born in Louisville on March 11, 1927 to Rudolph and Victoria Mueller. He received his elementary education at Holy Trinity, Sacred Heart Model School, and Christ the King prior to attending St. Xavier and U of L. At St. X, Carl lettered in basketball and was the captain of the 1945 State Champion baseball team. He was elected into the St. X Hall of Fame in 2002. Prior to graduating St. X he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox organization for which he played briefly before being called into service by the United States Marine Corps. It was both St. X and the Marine Corps that Carl routinely credited with preparing him for his adult life through team work, discipline and dedication to whatever cause he undertook.
Carl married Rosie Richardson and together they had had seven children, 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Carl thoroughly enjoyed business. His primary business was Cardinal Industrial Insulation which he cofounded in 1956. He assumed full ownership in 1977 and retired in 1991. In 1986 he cofounded American Safety Insurance Company and was on hand when ASI earned a seat on the New York Stock Exchange in 1994.
Carl was an easy person to warm up to. He had a quick wit, warm smile, firm hand shake and remarkably big heart. He never strayed from the Christian principles he learned during his youth or the dedication to the service of others he experienced at St. X. He often attributed the dedication of the Xavarian Brothers for his success in United States Marine Corps where he mastered discipline and love of God and country to his very last days. Carl brought all those traits and experiences to his cherished role as a husband, father and friend.
He believed strongly in leaving the world better than he found it. His generosity, often anonymous, impacted countless people around Louisville, America and the world, especially the young men he sponsored to attend St. X each year since 1978.
Carl is preceded in death by his wife, Rosie and his daughter, Nancy.
He is survived by his brother, Rudy (Jeanne), of Indianapolis, IN; sister, Mary Martha, of Nerix, KY; his companion of the past six years, Alice Wunderlich; his six children, Deni Gagle, Tom (Mary Jo), Jan, Mark (Sandy) Jaci Hallum and Craig (Lynne); his grandchildren, Shawn, Casey and Josh Gagel, Aaron and Andrew Mueller, Stephanie and Jennifer Mueller, Carley Buckingham (Scott), Morgan Hallum and Abigail and Christie Mueller.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes, Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 10 a.m., with burial following at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Carl and Rosemary Mueller Endowment at St. Xavier High School 1609 Poplar Level Road, Louisville, 40217.
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