Vera Jean Mueller

Vera Jean (Shields) Mueller passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2013, surrounded by loved ones, refusing to give up until the end. She was born on January 31, 1932, in Sand Ridge Township, to Vincent and Mabel (Gale) Shields, the oldest of eleven children. She grew up in Gorham, Illinois and graduated from Gorham High School. She also studied at the Ruma Catholic Convent in Red Bud, IL, but decided not to finish that path. Vera was asked to double date with a young man stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Erwin Alphonse Mueller, and they were married on April 19, 1952. They moved to Miami Florida where their first three children were born, Donna Marie Attig, Elizabeth Rose (Dr. Roger) Jones and (Vera) Jean (Fred) Alstat. Erwin and Vera returned to Murphysboro, Illinois in 1963, completing their family with the birth of Michael Anthony (Kimberly) Mueller and Christopher Neal (Tracy) Mueller, with the addition of many foster children. Vera was an extraordinary cook and no one who ever stepped into her home left hungry. She was a first prize winner of The Southern Illinoisan's cooking contest with her crème brulee. Her talents were learned early, being the oldest of eleven, growing up on a Southern Illinois farm, she became her mother's helper in the kitchen. She had the advantage of cooking with the most fresh and organic foods, before it was trendy. Vera expanded her cooking skills living in Miami, learning first hand German cuisine from Erwin's mother. Another talent, Vera was gifted with an incredible memory and had the ability to recall the date of any event you inquired and could even tell you what the weather was like on that day. She loved her flowers and a well manicured lawn. She enjoyed having a garden and spending time viewing wildlife from her dining room window or deck. She called her home "My Blue Heaven". Through the years Vera worked as a nurse's aide, assisted in managing "The Brass Rail" a family owned supper club in Miami, was secretary of Mueller Electric and Mueller's Fine Jewelry, and was a DCFS foster parent. Vera was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Carbondale. She belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary 127 in Murphysboro. Without a doubt, her grandchildren were the light of her life. From oldest to youngest, she made them all feel special and of course each was her favorite. They are Kerrin (Eddie) Dembo of Charleston South Carolina, William Attig of DeSoto, John Paul Attig of Carbondale, Caleb Attig of De Soto, Monica Jones of Denver, CO, Melinda (Steve) Coulter of Wildwood Missouri, Amanda (Mitchell) Engele of Nashville, IL, Lucas (Rachel) Alstat of Herrin, Valerie (Jason) Hubbard of De Soto, Madison Mueller and Blake Mueller of Carbondale and Lauren Mueller of Carbondale. She was blessed to see three great grandchildren born and expressed delight about each of them, Olivia and Andrea Coulter of Wildwood, MO and Henry Hubbard of De Soto, IL. Vera stayed close with all her siblings and they remained her absolute best friends throughout her life. For those living near and far, the annual fish fry was a tradition and one Vera treasured. Vera was preceded in death by her parents Vincent and Mabel Shields, sister Margaret Shields, husband Erwin A. Mueller, sister-in-law Shirley Shields, grandson Omar Brendan Attig and great granddaughter Brina Vera Coulter. She leaves her children and grandchildren mentioned above and her siblings James (Barbara) Shields of Murphysboro, Teresa (Kenneth) Lee of Albertville, AL, Harold (Shirley) Shields of Gorham, IL, Barbara (Wayne) Alstat of Vergennes, IL, Mary (Aaron) Schuster of Murphysboro, Ervin (Geraldine) Shields of St. Charles, MO, Wayne Shields of St. Charles, MO, Connie (Leonard) Froemling of Campbell Hill, IL and Joseph Shields of Sacramento, CA. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. Vera's care was entrusted to an outstanding group of nurses and caregivers including Eva, Melody, Fran, Marie and Sharon. A funeral mass will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, November 13, 2013, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Carbondale with Father Bob Flannery officiating and burial at St. Andrew Cemetery in Murphysboro. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday until 2:30 p.m. at Pettett Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan House in Carbondale. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

Vera Jean Mueller

January 31, 1932 - November 10, 2013