Donald Ross Muehling

Donald Ross Muehling, age 89, of Kennesaw, GA (formerly of St. Charles, IL), passed away peacefully on November 21, 2022 at his home.

Don was born on March 20, 1933, the youngest of 9 children, to Leo and Mary (Alt) Muehling in Cissna Park, IL. After Don graduated from Cissna Park High School in 1951, he went on to study Agriculture at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Il. After graduating from the U of I with a B.S. in Agriculture, he was drafted into the Army and served our country for the next 2 years as a 2nd Lieutenant. Upon finishing his military service, Don was employed by Carnation Milk Company as a Dairy Plant Fieldman, which is where he met his wife, Kay Eileen Arenz, who was working for Pet Milk Company at the time. Their initial meeting was a blind date set up by a friend and they soon after married on March 8, 1958. Don and Kay went on to have two children, Sandra Kay (Muehling) Imundo and William Donald Muehling.

Don and Kay lived the majority of their married life in St. Charles, IL, where they called home and where they raised their two children. They were long time members of Baker Memorial United Methodist Church and made many long-time friends through the years there.

Don joined the Northeastern Illinois Farm Business Farm Management Service as a Fieldman in 1959 and spent many years, advising farmers on their crops and managing their farms. He retired in 1995, after 36 years of service. Don and Kay spent their retirement years traveling, often with friends or family. One of Don's favorite places to be was the cabin they owned in Eagle River, WI. Don and Kay spent a lot of time at their cabin when they were raising their children and then later with their grandchildren. Once they retired, Don and Kay enjoyed bringing extended family and friends to enjoy their cabin with them.

Don and Kay moved to Kennesaw, GA, in 2017, to move in with their daughter and son-in-law, after Don suffered a couple of strokes and was requiring more care. They eventually moved into Daybreak Village, a personal care home in Kennesaw, where Don was able to live out his final years, with the care and support he needed, still allowing him and Kay to remain together. Don was a favorite at Daybreak, first and foremost being one of few men amongst a majority of women! But it was truly his winning smile that everyone always noticed and loved about him. Even towards the end of his life, as his words became fewer, he still always had a smile to greet you. Don spent his last day on earth, surrounded by his wife, his family and the many friends he had made at Daybreak Village.

Don is survived by his wife of 64 years, Kay Eileen (Arenz) Muehling, his son, William (Patricia) Muehling of Salem, SC, his daughter, Sandra (Michael) Imundo of Kennesaw, GA, his grandsons, Wesley (Alice) Imundo of Lawrenceville, GA, Ry (Kim) Muehling of Mundelein, IL, his granddaughters, Leyra (Eric) Dyar of Cool, CA, Hannah Passaperra of Salem, SC, and Rachel Passapera of Salem, SC, and his two great grandsons, Pablo Dyar and Santiago Dyar, both of Cool, CA. He is also survived by his sister-in-laws, Mary Ellen (Richard) Muehling, Jean (Robert) Muehling, and Mary (Arthur) Muehling as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Leo and Mary (Alt) Muehling, and his brothers, Bernard Muehling, Charles (Laurelle) Muehling, Richard (Mary Ellen) Muehling, Robert (Jean) Muehling and Arthur (Mary) Muehling, his sisters, Dorothy (Ervin) Koppenhoefer, Bernice (Raymond) Eifert, and Sylvia (Gordon) Jacobson, his brother-in-laws Ervin (Dorothy) Koppenhoefer, Raymond (Bernice) Eifert, Gordon (Sylvia) Jacobson and Dale (Susan) Arenz and his sister-in-laws Mary (Charles) Muehling, Laurelle (Charles) Muehling, and Susan (Dale) Arenz.

Don chose to be cremated and his final internment will be in the columbarium at the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles, IL. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church. Visitation for friends and family will be at 10:00 a.m., with a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 a.m., Lunch for all who wish to stay and visit will be at 12 noon and final internment with family at 1:00 p.m.