Delbert E. "Deb" Mueller, 84, of rural Arenzville, IL died Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Lavender Ridge Memory Care in Jacksonville. He was born Jan. 10, 1938, at his grandparents home in rural Chapin, the son of Harvey L. and Ina Marie Hamilton Mueller. He married Patricia Ann Likes on March 18, 1960, in Oxville, and she preceded him in death on April 20, 1980. He later married Melissa Green on Jan. 1, 1982, in Bluffs, and she survives. He is also survived by his three children, Kelley (Tony) McCormick of Jacksonville, Scott (Brandy) Mueller of Bluffs and Paul (Michelle) Mueller of Jacksonville; two step-sons, Joshua (Claudia) Trout of Chico, CA and Benjamin Trout of Anacortes, WA; eight grandchildren, Bryce (Kara) McCormick, Courtney McCormick, Sara (Derek) Merriman, Sam (Sarah) Mueller, Jake Mueller, Clay Mueller, Alyssa Bartels and Alexis Surratt; six great grandchildren, Addalyn, Kaden and Paityn McCormick, Mackenzie and Kason Merriman and Grady French; three brothers and two sisters, Don (Connie) Mueller of Steeleville, Ruby Morris of Forest City, Laura (Larry) Sweatman of Jacksonville, Jim (Bonnie) Mueller of Chapin and Dale Mueller (companion, Jan) of Missouri; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; and one sister, Eunice, in infancy. Mr. Mueller grew up in rural Bluffs and attended several one room schools. He graduated from Chapin High School in 1955, and later attended Western Illinois University, Illinois State University and the University of Illinois, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He attended Kent State University before going on to do his graduate work at the University of Arkansas. He began his teaching career in 1959 at Turner Juner High School in Jacksonville. He then taught at Crete-Monee High School in Crete, IL for a short time before returning to Turner where he retired. In his retirement, he taught part-time at Triopia. Never just a schoolteacher, Mr. Mueller raised hogs and cattle, was a mail man and a meter reader. Delbert had been a negotiator for the local teachers union and was a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Beardstown Elks Club, an active member of the Arenzville Community Club, a board member of Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau, a board member of Cass County Housing Authority and a member of Arenzville United Methodist Church. He enjoyed trading cars, having had over a hundred vehicles. He was an avid reader, particularly Westerns, and enjoyed traveling. He was a cowboy at heart and loved country music and "Gunsmoke". Funeral services will be held 10 am Saturday, May 7, 2022, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville with burial at Fairview Cemetery in Bluffs. A visitation will be held 4-6 pm Friday at the funeral home. Memorial gifts are suggested to Arenzville United Methodist Church, Triopia Public School Foundation Scholarship Fund, or a charity of the donors choice. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com. Visitation Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel Friday, May 06, 2022 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 1100 Lincoln Ave. Jacksonville, Illinois 62650 Funeral Service Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel Saturday, May 07, 2022 10:00 AM 1100 Lincoln Ave. Jacksonville, Illinois 62650