James F. Mueller

James "Butch" F. Mueller, 76, of Eau Claire, died suddenly on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at his residence.

James was born November 27, 1945 in Eau Claire, the son of Edward and Eileen (Streit) Mueller. James worked for the family business at Mueller Services until he served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1966 – 1971.

Then from 1973 – 1979 he worked as a professional land surveyor in Chippewa County, then from 1979 – 1984 for Northern Natural Gas and then from 1984 – 2004 for the Army Corp of Engineers. He attended St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Eau Claire.

James was an avid dirt track race fan; it was his passion. He loved watching his son and grandson race as well. Racing was a long-standing Mueller tradition for many years.

He enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids, bowling, golfing, and visiting a casino on occasion. He was a city champion horseshoe player and loved to play cards. He learned the game “Guts” from his parents and passed that tradition on to his kids and grandkids. He loved working in his yard, camping in his RV and cruising around in his mustang. He really enjoyed country music, especially Don Williams, Conway Twitty, Vince Gill and George Jones to name a few. He also loved to laugh and make jokes.

James is survived by two sons, John (Ann) Mueller of Chippewa Falls and Chad (Rachael) Mueller of Mosinee; one daughter, Holly (Neil) Bowe of Chippewa Falls; one brother, Richard (Patrece) Mueller; four sisters, Joanne Martenson, Cheryl (William) LaRose, Rita Cederholm and Trudy (Dale) Ahlvin; and 9 grandchildren, Cole and Collin Mueller, Sawyer, Trevor and Carter Bowe, Christian and Isabella Mueller and Sydney and Jacob Schmeiser.

James was preceded in death by his parents; and two sets of siblings.

He will be missed by his family, friends, and his cat Mitsy.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, August 5 at St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Eau Claire. Rev. Tom Krieg will be celebrant of the Memorial Mass. Inurnment will be in the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery in Spooner at a later date. 

Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, August 5 at the church.

AFTER SERVICE NOTICE:

A Memorial Mass for James “Butch” F. Mueller was held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, August 5 at St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Eau Claire.

Military rites were conducted by the Eau Claire VFW Post #305 with Taps played by Micha Zwiefelhofer.

Rev. Tom Krieg was celebrant of the Memorial Mass.

Music during the Mass was provided by Dan Kneer and Bob Lightfoot.