August 27, 2018
Rest In Peace
James Peter Mueller was born on February 25th, 1938 in Buffalo, New York, the son of Victoria (Tobey) and Louis Mueller. Preceded in death by his parents, sisters; Carol, Loretta and Eleanor and brothers; Edward and Louis. Survived by his wife of 47 years, Diane (Keinath), children; James of Newburgh NY and Mark (Deirdre) of Cleveland, as well as his two treasured grandsons; Eoin and Patrick, sisters; Joan Springer of Sequim, Washington, Victoria Mueller Anstead and Virginia Koch of Buffalo NY, beloved nieces and nephews and many friends.
Jim spent most of his summers on his maternal grandparents’ (Delina and Peter Tobey) farm in Honey Harbour, Ontario, Canada. Jim graduated from prep school in Tewksbury, MA, from Our Lady of Hope Mission Seminary at Newburgh NY and from Oblate College in Washington D.C. where he received a Master’s Degree in Theology. He also held a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from Catholic University and did further graduate work in the School of Foreign Service and Economics at Georgetown University. He was ordained a priest in May, 1966 in Washington D.C. Jim was a chaplain at the State Hospital in Columbus as well as London Prison Farm and the State School for the Developmentally Disabled. Later he was employed as the Director of Employment Services at the Ohio Youth Commission (now the Department of Youth Services), Director of Development at United Community Council/United Way, and Director of the Ohio Bureau of Drug Abuse. He was the founder and executive director of the Ohio Community Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities State Association. He was an advisor and consultant to Ohio governors and State office holders as well as a long-time tireless advocate for those with mental health issues and developmental disabilities.
Jim was a past board member of Franklin County Children Services, an assistant to Alberto Giovenetti the Pope’s ambassador to the United Nations and was the co-founder of the International Foundation for the Development of People---a foundation created for promoting world peace. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, September 8th, 2018 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 4686 E. Walnut Street, Westerville OH 43081. Jim asked that you “have a good time and BE GOOD TO PEOPLE!” In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jim’s name to Autism Speaks – Columbus, 470 Glenmont Avenue, Columbus OH 43214.