Larry E. Mueller

Larry E. Mueller, 86, of Pekin, IL, formerly of Decatur and Morton, Illinois, passed away at 12:09 am on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at OSF Richard Owens Hospice Home. Born on March 3,1935, in Peoria, Illinois, to Edward T. and Marguerite Schlesier Mueller, he married Yvonne Emory in Decatur, Illinois. He later married Karen Welsh in Pekin, Illinois. She survives. Also surviving are his Sister, Gloria Mueller, of Pekin, IL; four sons, David (Millie) Mueller of Orlando, FL, Douglas (Michelle) Mueller of Jackson, MO; Daniel (Lori) Mueller of Morton, IL; and Don (Irene) Mueller of Lincoln, IL; one daughter, Cheryl Leasure of Washington, IL; seven grandchildren; Kristyn (Payton) Haight, Kayla Mueller, Kelli Mueller, Austin (Brittany) Mueller, Jessica Evans, Sheanah (Brad) Whitt, and Shane Johnson; four great-grandchildren Ben Whitt, Carly Whitt, Lucas Evans and Myla Mueller; and one sister-in-law, Mary Donna Weghorst of Pekin. His parents preceded him in death. Larry was a graduate of the University of Illinois, where he participated in their Air Force ROTC program. He also attended Bradley University, Illinois Central College, and was a former member of Toastmasters International. He was a 40-year employee of Caterpillar Inc., last working as a Consultant in the Inventory Management Division in Morton. He retired in April, 1997. He also had worked as a licensed real estate salesman for six years. Larry was active in the administration of boys' baseball programs and coached for 13 years, which included coaching his four sons. He was one of the founding members of the organization now known as the Morton Youth Baseball Association. A licensed pilot and aircraft owner, he was a member of the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association and the Antique Aircraft Association. Private services will be held on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory in Pekin, with inurnment at a later date in Swan Lake Memorial Gardens in Peoria. Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorials may be made to OSF Richards Owens Hospice Home or Taps. Memorial Service Tuesday, February 22, 2022 3:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,Illinois 61554