Visitation

Nov 4, 2019

Biography

Reverend Doctor Charles S. Mueller, Sr. was born in Springfield, Illinois, on April 6, 1929. The second son of Walter H. and Aurelia (Steinkamp) Mueller, Charlie was raised in a loving and faithful Lutheran family in Wichita, Kansas. Encouraged by his pastor and supported by his parents and three siblings, Charlie left home at age 14 to begin boarding school for pre-theological study at St. John’s Academy and College in Winfield, Kansas. He later attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, from where he graduated ready for a call to a parish in 1953. Earlier that same year he made the best decision of his life in marrying a St. John’s classmate and newly minted nurse, Audrey Mae Prange of Little Rock, Arkansas. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary January 2019. Charlie’s first parish was Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville Beach, Florida (1953-1957) followed by The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew in Silver Spring, Maryland (1957-1970). In 1970, he was elected to the first of two terms as president of the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church -Missouri Synod, supporting the ministries of all the LCMS congregations in a five state area. He was on the road constantly during that eight year period, and so it was up to Audrey to keep the home fires burning and a watchful eye over their four children: Sarah, Charles Jr. (Chuck), Amy and Juliane (Julie). In 1978, Charlie accepted a call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle, IL, where he served as senior pastor for fourteen years. Since 1992 he has been emeritus on the Trinity staff, freed to serve where the Spirit leads. This has included many decades of serving as a Bible study leader for adults, an opportunity that he and Audrey joyfully engaged in well into his 90th year. During his lengthy career, Charlie authored more than a dozen books and innumerable articles on topics of importance to the growth of congregations and the spiritual growth of lay Christians. He received and accepted invitations to address youth gatherings, pastor groups, conventions, teachers’ conferences and served as a consultant to more than fifty congregations. He served on the Lake Park Community High School District 108 school board and received honorary doctorates from St John’s College, Winfield, Kansas, Concordia University in Bronxville, New York and Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. In retirement, he continued to consult with pastors and congregations that wanted to know more about the world of families and the many pan-generational challenges that all churches face. He was passionate about and dedicated many hours to writing and speaking on behalf of Wheat Ridge Ministries (now WE RAISE FOUNDATION) – an organization committed to seeding projects of health and hope in the name of the healing Christ. As he and Audrey joined the ranks of Super-Seniors (those who are 85 and older), his ministry interests became more focused on advocacy and resources for those who have been blessed with long life to continue to be a positive and effective force in their church and community. Charlie died from complications of esophageal cancer on October 30, 2019. In addition to his beloved Audrey and their four children, he is survived by his sister Betty Ortmann, his sister Audrey Humes, sister-in-laws Eunice Seeber and Tena Willemsma, brother-in-laws Donald Prange and Richard Humes, daughter-in-law Karen Mueller, sons-in-law Mark Stegemoeller, Jim Reuter and Dan Puntch, seventeen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. Charlie’s life was richly blessed by God, who gave him everything he and Audrey needed in “… good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over …” (Luke 6:38). Those wishing to honor Charlie’s life by making a donation are encouraged to send a gift to Trinity Lutheran Church Foundation for the Charles S. and Audrey Prange Mueller Ministry Endowment Fund. Charlie will be honored at an 11:00 a.m. memorial service on Monday, November 4 Trinity Lutheran Church 405 S. Rush Street, Roselle, IL with visitation from 9 - 11:00 a.m.

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