Earl N. Mueller

Earl N. Mueller, 85 of Bellevue, died Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at his home, under the care of Hospice of Dubuque. Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 3 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bellevue officiated by Fr. Stephen Meyer. Burial will be in St. Josephs Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Kingery~Lemke Funeral Home and again Monday at the funeral home after 9:30 until procession to church. Earl was born on May 5, 1924 in Bellevue, son of Alben and Theresa (Ries) Mueller. He married Averle Hingtgen, on October 17, 1945 in Bellevue. Earl attended St. Joseph School and a member of St. Joseph Parish He was also a member of the American Legion Post # 273 and its Color Guard, Firing Squad since 1946. He was involved with the St. Joseph Adult Choir, and Bellevue Community choir or many years. Earl and Averle were members of the Antique Auto Club of America, the Classic Car Club of America, the Nation Buick Club of America and the Tri State Antique & Classic Car Club of Dubuque. He judged at many shows, including national meets. Earl worked at 6 years for Roeder Brothers, 12 years at Clinton Engine as a supervisor, and six years at Vulcan Tool & Die Shop in Dubuque. Earl and Averle, founded, owned and operated Muellers Auto Repair with son Jim and Terry for 20 years, retiring in 1991, he sold the business to his son Jim. Through the years he restored 12 antique and classic vehicles at Muellers Auto Repair, two national 1st and 2nd place winners. He also restored many pieces of antique furniture through the years, which still remain in his home. In his later years, Earl assisted Herrig Auction Service as a driver, which he enjoyed very much. Surviving are his two sons, Jim Mueller and Terry (Mary Kay) Mueller, both of Bellevue; four grandchildren, Jason Mueller, of Jupiter, Florida, Heidi (Shannon) Abbott, of Bellevue, Carrie (Erik) Brown, of Colona, Illinois, and Katie (Jeff) Laban, of Jacksonville, Florida; a granddaughter in-law, Stacy Mueller, of Bellevue, three great grandchildren, Jackson Mueller, Spencer Abbott and Lillian Brown; brother, Edward (Madonna) Mueller, of Bellevue; three sisters, Marcella Bechen, of Bellevue, Gertrude (Warren Skip) Raymond, of Durant, and Patricia Greene, of Dubuque; and a sister in-law, Sandra Mueller, of Bellevue. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife; grandson, Corey Mueller; brother, Archie Mueller and sister Francis Kelly; three brothers in-law, Melvin Bechen, Jim Kelly and Donald Greene. The family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque for their care and compassion shown to Earl. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lemkefuneralhome.net.