Howard Lane Mueller was born on December 18, 1926, in Dodge City, Kansas, the son of Kirk W. and Ruth Smith Mueller. On April 18, 1949, Howard was married to Shirley Plumhoff Boulware. Howard and Shirley lived in Marienthal, Kansas until 1953 when they moved to Minnesota. While there, Howard worked for a farmer for a couple of years then moved to Fairmont, Minnesota in 1955. It was there he worked in a local creamery. In November of 1961 they moved to Sheridan Lake, Colorado where he went to work for Vi & Theo Boulware, before leasing farm ground from them in the "bad years" of the early 1960’s. Howard’s fortune eluded him because of the crops blowing out every year for several years. With his daughter’s grown and out of school, Howard and Shirley decided to move to Missouri. Most of his time there was spent working at the tire re-treading plant. In the early 1970’s they moved back to Sheridan Lake where he went to work for the Kiowa County Road and Bridge Department. Howard also spent time working at the Sheridan Lake Cemetery and taking care of Karen’s yard. Sheridan Lake would be Howard’s home for the remainder of his life.
In December of 1981, Howard’s wife Shirley died. Howard loved working with wood, making wooden replicas of everyone’s vehicles, rocking chairs and cradles for his granddaughters and great granddaughters. Howard was a private person, but his love for his family was demonstrated in ways that only they could understand.
Howard died on July 12, 2003 at the Weisbrod Memorial Hospital in Eads. He is survived by his daughters Karen Benge and Sandra Osborn. Howard is also survived by his 4 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren as well as by his brother Fred (Annie) Mueller and his sister Alice (Billy) Mortimer as well as by a host of friends. Howard was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife Shirley.
Funeral services for Howard L. Mueller were held on Wednesday July 16, 2003 at the Sheridan Lake Bible Church in Sheridan Lake, Colorado with Pastor Larry Gitchel officiating. Mrs. Joann Harris played the organ and Vern and Joann Harris sang "The Old Rugged Cross", "Amazing Grace" and "Come Morning". Serving as casket bearers were: Denis Weber, G.L. Palmer, Mike Benge, Bucky Murdock, Vern Harris, David Splitter, Merle Shalberg and Bob Dawson. Final committal services were held at the Sheridan Lake Cemetery in Sheridan Lake, Colorado. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sheridan Lake Bible Church Building Fund. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.