Johnnie Mueller

Johnnie Dewayne J.D. Mueller, 75, passed away on May 20, 2009 at Trinity Medical Center. J.D. was born on November 21, 1933 in the LaBahia Community to John A. Mueller and Ida Stebner Mueller. He was baptized on February 11, 1934 and confirmed his faith on March 21, 1948 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine, Texas. J.D. began his education at Boundary School in the LaBahia Community and graduated from Round-Top Carmine High School in 1951. He furthered his education at Blinn Junior College and The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking in Dallas, Texas. J.D. served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958 and was assigned to Battery B, 7th Artillery located in Germany. Upon his return home, he joined the Texas Army National Guard in Brenham where he served his country for an additional 4 years. On July 19, 1958, he married Shirley Ann Fuchs at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Carmine, Texas. Two daughters were born to this union, Renee Ann and Jill Rachelle. Another family tie was formed in August of 1958, when J.D. started work at Farmers National Bank. He spent 50 years in the banking industry with this one financial institution. J.D. progressed through the ranks from bookkeeper to the position of President of the bank. As many of you know, J.D. never met a stranger and he made the natural progression into the public relations department at the bank. At the same time, he became an officer in Brenham Bancshares, Inc., the holding company owning Brenham National Bank. Some of his most enjoyable memories of banking included having a cup of coffee with his customers. J.D. was a very devoted Christian, which was exemplified by his many roles of service at Martin Luther Lutheran Church. He was an officer on the church council, Sunday School Superintendent and adult bible study teacher for many years and served many offices in the Brotherhood Men in Mission. His love for genealogy led him to co-author two church history books for his church. Other civic organizations that J.D. was involved with included: past treasurer of the Brenham Maifest Association, past president of the Brenham National Guard Reunion Committee, past officer of the Washington County Genealogical Society, Brazos Valley Bankers Association, past president of the Sandtown Wildlife Association, organizer of the Boundary School Reunion, and past president of the Washington County Fair Association. He was also involved with many charitable organizations. Upon his death, he was the acting president of the Washington County Natural Resources Conservation Service WCNRCS. J.D. loved to spend his free time outdoors, ranching and vegetable and rose gardening. Other hobbies were genealogy and coin collecting. He always enjoyed speaking German and being with his family. His grandsons called him "Jack" and he greatly enjoyed watching them play sports. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Shirley Fuchs Mueller; daughter, Renee Ann Mueller of Brenham; daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Rodney Finke of Houston; two grandsons, Ryan and Grant Finke of Houston; brother, Alvis Mueller of Carmine; sister and brother-in-law, Avalda and J.C. Pohl of Carmine; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Otto and Carolyn Fuchs of Carmine, Howard and Joyce Fuchs of Carmine and Dellora Manske of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces and nephews. J.D. was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, Otto and Elsie Fuchs and brother-in-law, Edison Manske. Pallbearers will be his nephews, Stanley Manske and Jody Pohl and friends, Ron Alfred, Douglas Borchardt, Tieman Dippel, Jr., Tieman Dippel III, Richard Forst, Odell Lueckemeyer and Winston Rosenbaum. Honorary pallbearers will be the Board of Directors and employees of Brenham National Bank, the present and past members of the board of WCNRCS, past and present members of the board of the Washington County Fair Association and members of the Brenham National Guard Reunion Committee. The family will receive visitors at Memorial Oaks Chapel on Friday, May 22, 2009 from 6pm to 8pm. The funeral service will be Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 10:30 am at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Carmine, Texas. Interment will follow at LaBahia Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. To view the obituary on-line or post a tribute, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com. Memorials honoring J.D. may be given to the carillon fund at Martin Luther Lutheran Church; Parkinson Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Baylor College of Medicine, 6550 Fannin, Suite 1801, Houston, Texas 77030; or The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77030.