Fr. Donald R. Mueller, 77, Gibsonburg passed away on 12:22 AM, Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.  He was born on September 5, 1935 in Venedocia, OH to Aloysius & Evelyn (Hessling) Mueller.  After attending St. John Grade School, he entered the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, OH, where he graduated from high school and college, and completed theology studies for the priesthood.  Fr. Mueller was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Toledo on May 21, 1961, by Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi at the Josephinum.

He was an assistant or associate pastor at five parishes; St. Peter in Huron (1961); St. Jude in Toledo (1961-1963); Immaculate Conception in Ottoville (1964-1967); St. Wendelin in Fostoria (1967-1971); and St. John in Toledo (1971-1974).

Fr. Mueller then served eight parishes as pastor; St. Stephen, Then Bend, and Immaculate Conception, Marysdale (1974-1983); St. Ann, Toledo (1984); and Sacred Heart, Bethlehem, and St. Joseph, Plymouth (1984-1986).  He also worked as an assistant in the Toledo mission office (1987-1989); and as Chaplin at Mercy Hospital in Toledo (1963), St. Francis Hospital in Green Springs (1989-1997), St. Bernadine Home in Fremont (1997-2000), and also was pastor at St. Nicholas in Miller City and Holy Family in New Cleveland.

Fr. Mueller also substituted for many local parishes most recently celebrating his 51st year as a priest.  He enjoyed playing cards, spending time and visiting with his family and fishing in his early years.
Fr. Mueller is survived by his siblings; Angela (Jerry) Hohlbein, Ottoville, OH, Sister Diane (Anna Marie) Mueller of Tiffin, and his brother; Joseph (Diane) Mueller of Delphos.  He is also survived by 14 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters; Janice Deitering and Rose Ann Mueller and his brother-in-law; William Deitering.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Gibsonburg from 12:00 PM-3:30 PM with the Rosary said at 3:30 PM.  Additional visitation will be held on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at Immaculate Conception Church, Ottoville Reception of the Body and Vespers at 4 PM followed by visitation until 8:00 PM.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 1, 2012 at Immaculate Conception Church at 11:00 AM where his body will lie in state one hour prior to the service.  Bishop Leonard P. Blair will be officiating.

Burial will follow at St Mary's Cemetery, Ottoville. Memorials may be given to Sisters of St. Francis Tiffin, St. Mary Cemetery, Ottoville, or to the Diocese of Toledo.



The Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gibsonburg and The Love-Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Jackson Twp. have been privileged to assist with Fr. Muellers arrangements.

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