Ernest Elexus "Ernie" Mueller

He is the reason we eat doughnuts every Sunday morning. He was the reason the phone rang 1 minute after an LSU game ended (even at 1:17 am). He is the reason we all have homes full of hand-made wooden furniture with "Ernie" written underneath. He is the reason we've been to Gatlinburg 20+ times in our lives. He is the reason we were all born and raised in Terrytown. He is why the great-grandkids drink "eyeballs" at the bar. He is why we millennial grandkids know Perry Mason and M*A*S*H. He is the reason for the dollar in the envelope. He is why every. single. doctor he has ever seen knows the difference between a cow and a woman (#iykyk).

He was happy, healthy & humble. He worked hard and loved harder- his family, his country and LSU (Saints sometimes). He spent his 30-year retirement devoted to his family-never missing a party, school event, graduation or wedding. His sense of humor made him friends with anyone and everyone. He had us laughing until his last day. The world was brighter with him in it…93 years wasn't long enough, but his body was tired. He passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at home surrounded by his family. It was as beautiful as it was devastating.

He was born September 21, 1932, and is survived by his loving wife Beverly Coppola Mueller, happily married for 74 years. He is also survived by his loving children Cynthia (Cindy) Gonzales (late Ernest E.J.), Ernest Jr. (Janet), Sondra Konyha (William (Joey), his loving grandchildren Brandi Gonzales, Jennifer Fuselier (Taylor), Melissa Maheu (Drew), Bradley Arabie (Laura), great-grandchildren Lucas, Logan, Jack, Leo and Payton. Also survived by his sisters JoAnn Mueller Alleman and Roberta (Berta) Mueller Polito. Preceded in death by his parents Masmenio Paul Mueller Sr. and Roberta Theobold Mueller, brothers Masmenio (Mossy) Mueller Jr, Walter Mueller and his sister Dorothy (Dotsy) Mueller Caldarera.

Ernie was an Army veteran of the Korean War where he served as a tank commander and an original resident of Terrytown since 1960. He spent his lifetime as a cabinet maker and woodworker. He was a long-time parishioner of Christ the King Church where he used his woodworking skills to make handmade wooden crosses that he lovingly donated to Fr. Nam, the Church and the altar servers.

Visitation will be at Christ the King Church Friday, January 16, 2026, from 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon, mass to follow at 12:00 noon. Interment will be at Westlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Manning Family Children's Hospital.