Russell J. Mueller  (Russ)

95 years young of Overland Park

Born December 6, 1924 - Belleville, IL

Died July 20, 2020

After graduating from Belleville Township High School, Belleville, IL, Russ served in the US Navy from December 1943 through February 1946.  He attended boot camp at Farragut, Idaho. He was then commissioned and served on the US Tulagi (a small Aircraft Carrier) until he was discharged as a Yeoman 2nd Class. His ship was initially assigned to do anti-submarine duty in the Atlanta Ocean.  The Navy gave the ship additional duties of supporting the troops in the invasion of Southern France in the Mediterranean Sea. Later in WWII the ship was assigned to the Pacific Theater.  In the Pacific, the ship was assigned the same duties at Luzon, Philippines-Iowa Jima-and Okinawa invasions.

After being discharged, Russ attended and graduated in 1949, from Millikin College, Decatur, IL, with a BS degree in Business Administration. Six weeks before finishing his college degree his father passed away and Russ took over the family business (a small grocery store) in order to care and provide for his mother and two younger sisters.  He worked to sell the business in 1949.  In January 1950 he was hired by IBM in St. Louis, MO. In June 1950 he married the love of his life Virginia (Ginny) Joffray, also of Belleville, IL.

On August 7, 1950 he was called back to service to serve in the in the Korean War. He was assigned to the St. Louis Navy Processing Center. In November 1951, Russ was discharged from the Navy and returned to his work at IBM.

Russ was promoted to Administration Manager in four different IBM cities before arriving in Kansas City in 1964. He remained with IBM in Kansas City until his retirement in February 1989.  He ended his 39-year career with IBM as a Senior Recruiting Specialist.

In addition to his regular IBM duties, while in Wichita, KS, IBM volunteer Russ as a Loaned Executive to the United Way. Upon being promoted to Kansas City, IBM requested that he continue working as a volunteer to the United Way in and around Kansas City. 

Russ loved his time volunteering.  He always sought out ways to give back to his community. After retiring from IBM, Russ continued his life’s journey by turning his attention to full time un-paid volunteer work.

In retirement he volunteered:

at the Missouri Job Service Office

at the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce 

Volunteered for over 21 years as an AARP tax aide conducting and then overseeing income tax preparation for elderly and low-income people

Was the past President of Serra Club of Kansas City where he worked with the Archbishop & Priests plus seminarians in the Kansas City Archdiocese

Volunteered for over 25 years visiting patients at Villa St. Joseph Nursing Home and Park Meadows Senior Living praying with them and administering the sacrament of Holy Communion

Instrumental in bringing IBM computers into the Cure of Ars School and throughout the diocese

He was active in numerous Charitable organizations:

Junior Achievement

Good Shepard Home  

Legion of Mary

Sisters Servant of Mary

Knights of Columbus

Various Cure of Ars Catholic Church charitable events

One of Russ’s proudest award and tributes came in 2010 when he was recognized by the Kansas City Royals with a Buck O’Neil award.  He was recognized for his volunteer work with the blind, the elderly, disabled and the United Way.

Survived by his loving wife Ginny, of 70 years of marriage. Russ and Ginny were blessed in having three daughters and sons in laws: Diane and Dan Fouraker of Camdenton, MO. Linda & Ed Slagle of Marietta, GA, Beth Eppler of Olathe, KS. Six Grandchildren: Jesse Fouraker of Wellsville, KS, Cody Fouraker of Overland Park, KS, Kyle and Keith (wife Candance Slagle) of Marietta, GA, Amie Eppler of Olathe, KS, Sara Love (husband Kyle) of Grandview, MO. Two great grandchildren: Connor and Hanna Slagle, Marietta, GA, Two sisters: Helen Burrous & Rosie Bauer, both of Belleville, IL. Sister-in-Law Jane Mueller of North Carolina. Preceded in death: parents John & Helen, brother Norman, brother-in-laws Bob Burrous & Jim Bauer, infants - older sister Delores and daughter Sandra Kay.

A Rosary at 9:15 AM, Visitation from 9:30-10:30 AM followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM Saturday, July 25, at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9405 Mission, Rd., Leawood, KS.  Burial at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Sisters Servants of Mary, 800 North 18th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102, or Serra Club in Kansas City, Kansas.