Obituary for John Mueller
John Kevin Mueller, 73, formerly of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away peacefully of natural causes at his home in Siloam Springs on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 30, at Family Funeral Service, 100 West Searcy St., Heber Springs, AR 72543. Reception to follow.
John was born on January 26, 1949, in Wakefield, MA, to Donald and Doris Mueller. He grew up in Wakefield, MA. He graduated from Wakefield High School, received a bachelor’s degree in education from the College of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR. After college, John served in the National Guard for four years. He then went on to earn his master’s degree in school administration at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. His first job as an elementary school principal was at Whiteside Elementary School in Camden, AR. He then served as principal of the Heber Springs Elementary School for 33 years before retiring in 2015.
John is preceded in death by his daughter, Shawn Patricia Mueller, his parents, Donald and Doris Mueller, and sister, Donna Reid.
John is survived by his wife, Glenda Gillespie Mueller, sister, Gail Mueller, brother, William Mueller, brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Mary Ann Mueller, stepson Brian Henley (Jill), stepson Ben Henley (Trace), stepdaughter Virginia Wietecha (Daniel), grandchildren Brayden Henley, Burke Henley, Brianna Henley, Boone Henley, Danielle Henley, Emma Wietecha, Estelle Wietecha, nieces/nephews Kathy Mastergiacoma, Erin Clark, Donald Pike, Michael Collins, Jody Pike, Daniel Pike, William Mueller Jr.
John was known for his quick wit and his gentle heart. He loved his family, especially his daughter, Shawn, and he took great pride in his grandchildren. He was passionate about setting all children on the right path for life, and He was exceptionally skilled at finding just the right strategy to give each child, no matter what they were struggling with, a solid foundation to help them succeed.
In his younger days, he was a gifted athlete. John received a scholarship to play college soccer and was drafted into the minor soccer league; he competed in slalom water skiing events; he attended the state championship in wrestling; he also played baseball and was an avid fisherman.
As an adult, he enjoyed motorcycling and hosting friends and family. On a good day, John would be grilling out, listening to Bob Dylan, swimming in the pool, and putting on magic shows and conducting science experiments with his grandchildren.
After retirement, John loved traveling in his RV, especially his trips to Port Aransas, Texas, during the winter months, where he mastered the sport of pickle ball, won cribbage tournaments, fished in the ocean, and walked his dog, Lefty, on the beach.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-Arkansas Chapter at afsp.org/chapter/arkansas.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 30, at Family Funeral Service, 100 West Searcy St., Heber Springs, AR 72543. Reception to follow.
John was born on January 26, 1949, in Wakefield, MA, to Donald and Doris Mueller. He grew up in Wakefield, MA. He graduated from Wakefield High School, received a bachelor’s degree in education from the College of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR. After college, John served in the National Guard for four years. He then went on to earn his master’s degree in school administration at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. His first job as an elementary school principal was at Whiteside Elementary School in Camden, AR. He then served as principal of the Heber Springs Elementary School for 33 years before retiring in 2015.
John is preceded in death by his daughter, Shawn Patricia Mueller, his parents, Donald and Doris Mueller, and sister, Donna Reid.
John is survived by his wife, Glenda Gillespie Mueller, sister, Gail Mueller, brother, William Mueller, brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Mary Ann Mueller, stepson Brian Henley (Jill), stepson Ben Henley (Trace), stepdaughter Virginia Wietecha (Daniel), grandchildren Brayden Henley, Burke Henley, Brianna Henley, Boone Henley, Danielle Henley, Emma Wietecha, Estelle Wietecha, nieces/nephews Kathy Mastergiacoma, Erin Clark, Donald Pike, Michael Collins, Jody Pike, Daniel Pike, William Mueller Jr.
John was known for his quick wit and his gentle heart. He loved his family, especially his daughter, Shawn, and he took great pride in his grandchildren. He was passionate about setting all children on the right path for life, and He was exceptionally skilled at finding just the right strategy to give each child, no matter what they were struggling with, a solid foundation to help them succeed.
In his younger days, he was a gifted athlete. John received a scholarship to play college soccer and was drafted into the minor soccer league; he competed in slalom water skiing events; he attended the state championship in wrestling; he also played baseball and was an avid fisherman.
As an adult, he enjoyed motorcycling and hosting friends and family. On a good day, John would be grilling out, listening to Bob Dylan, swimming in the pool, and putting on magic shows and conducting science experiments with his grandchildren.
After retirement, John loved traveling in his RV, especially his trips to Port Aransas, Texas, during the winter months, where he mastered the sport of pickle ball, won cribbage tournaments, fished in the ocean, and walked his dog, Lefty, on the beach.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-Arkansas Chapter at afsp.org/chapter/arkansas.