Carl J. Mueller

Carl Mueller, age 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 24, 2023, in Bellingham, WA. He was born November 5, 1939, in Cleveland, OH to Paul and Josephine Mueller. Carl graduated from Cleveland St. Ignatius High School in 1957. He briefly attended John Carroll University until he joined the US Navy in 1958 where he served until 1962. While in the Navy, Carl was part of the Hurricane Hunters weather reconnaissance unit and was certified in specialty electronics.

Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, Carl returned home to Cleveland and began working at the NASA Research Center in Cleveland. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Carol Wilkolak. Carl and Carol were married on June 16, 1963, and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Carl went on to have a 30-year career as a union Elevator Mechanic maintaining elevators in and around the greater Cleveland area. One of Carl’s favorite places to work was at Municipal Stadium where he was able to watch all the Browns football games from the rooftop. Upon retiring as an elevator mechanic, Carl began a new career for the next 13 years as an Elevator Inspector working for both the City of Cleveland and the State of Ohio. Once fully retired, in 2009, Carl and Carol moved to Bellingham, WA. While in Bellingham, Carl volunteered at Animals as Natural Therapy and served as a Eucharistic Minister at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Carl loved to ride his Vespa scooter, drive his car, bowl, work out at the YMCA, and take trips to visit his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Carol; sons Brian of Cleveland, OH, David (Renée) of Bellingham, WA, Mark (Sarah) of Mendota Heights, MN, and daughter Jennifer (Jesse) Lehman of Dallas, TX; grandchildren Ben, Michael, Emily, Eileen, William, and James; sisters Jo-Ann Klaameyer, Dorothy Kaigan; and brother Paul.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 30th at 11am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1110 14th Street, Bellingham).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Peace Health Whatcom Hospice House - https://whatcomhospice.org/donate-online/ . The Hospice House staff provided a comfortable, peaceful, and loving environment for Carl during his final days.