John Michael Muller passed away on January 12, 2023, in his home at the age of 78. John was born on November 16 ,1944, the oldest child of Cathernne (nee Kirschner) and Joseph P. Muller. He would later be joined by two sisters and a brother. He spent his childhood in South St. Louis, attending Holy Family Grade School and graduating from Bishop DuBourg High School in 1962. He attended Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri University School of Mines and Metallurgy until 1964, then University of Missouri at Rolla) and graduated in 1967.
John’s first job following graduation was with Hussmann Refrigeration, where he worked on the design and application of refrigerated containers. It was during this period that John received his Professional Engineers license. In 1976, he began his career with Schnucks Markets as Director of Maintenance. During his tenure at Schnucks, the company doubled in size, becoming the powerhouse grocery retailer of the St. Louis area. He retired as Director of Facilities Maintenance in 2007. John took pride in the team he built at Schnucks.
For a number of years following retirement, he managed the Sitting Ducks Duck Club in West Alton. He also was a member of the Building Committee at St. Peter Church in Kirkwood. He volunteered at Wings of Hope for several years, following in the footsteps of his dad. John was a member of Rock Steady Boxing of St. Louis and enjoyed the many friends he met, as well as the workouts.
Family and extended family were always paramount in John’s life. He was the oldest of 15 maternal cousins and three paternal cousins and, in his youth, the family gathered often for family outings and special occasions. John married Nancy in 1969 and moved into their house in Kirkwood in 1972, where he lived until his passing. John and Nancy’s children and grandchildren brought him great joy.
John was a proud Eagle Scout. He was gratified that his brother, sons and grandson followed in his footsteps and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He was also an avid bird hunter, pigeon racer, weekend farmer, welder, history scholar, fixer of nearly anything and lover of British television. He was a quiet, intelligent, observant, and commanding man who left an impression on every person he met. A fiercely loyal friend, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, great-uncle and cousin, he is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy (nee Hrdlicka), his children Laura (Scott) Goddard, Joe (Erin) Muller and Mike (Beth) Muller, as well as three grandsons–Houston and Dylan Goddard and Ian Muller. He will also be missed by his sister Joan (Bob) Schmitt, Carol Jacobi, and brother Tom (Linda) Muller, and his brother-in-law Ken (Raeleen) Hrdlicka.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 29, from 4-8 p.m. at Kutis Funeral Home, 10151 Gravois Road in Affton, Missouri. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 30, at St. Peter Church, 243 West Argonne in Kirkwood, followed by burial at Sunset Memorial Park, 10180 Gravois Road. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Rock Steady Boxing of St. Louis (Rock Steady Boxing STL-Fenton, 908 Claymark Drive, St. Louis MO 63131), Wings of Hope (wingsofhope.ngo), or a charity of your choosing.
I always loved John. We gave other a “hard time” through the years, laughed a lot and worked hard on his house and on the farm.
A particular fond memory I have is drinking whiskey and playing Santa Claus with him on Christmas Eve.
He was a good man!
My sincerest condolences to Nancy, Laura, Joe, Mike and the rest of the family.
Was always good talking engineering, aviation, scouting, whiskey and shooting sports interests with John. The neighborhood sand and beach themed backyard party is still one of the best memories!
I spent 3 decades working at Schnucks with John. His career was stellar and he was a key to that organizations success and growth over the years. We spent many hours hunting pheasant and quail both in Nebraska and Missouri. Later we had many fun hours both getting Sitting Ducks Hunt Club up and running and then in a duck blind together. Words that describe John are integrity, intelligence, thoughtful and caring. My nickname for John was “grumpy”, and he was but only on the exterior. We’ve lost a good man. I will cherish my memories of time I was lucky enough to have spent with John. I’m sure he is somewhere walking up behind a Brittany on point or in a blind waiting for that pair of green heads to come in range. So long old friend. I’ll see you when I get there.
Love to you Uncle John, Aunt Nancy and family!
I worked with John during his Hussmann years and always considered him a good friend. All the previous statements pretty well sum up the person he was. Bottom line, a great person who will be missed by many.
We know that words cannot ease your loss but know that you are continuously in our hearts and prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Tony and Patsy Conte
John and I grew up together in south St. Louis and went to grade school at Holy Family and high school at St. John’s then we roomed together in the dorms at MSM for the first year.
I think we both got our Eagle Scout award when we belong to Troop 20. In fact it might have been on the same night.
John and his dad were always working on cars in his dads garage on Miami Street.
He went on to DuBourg High when his parents moved almost across the street from the high school and the walk was alot shorter then the mile down the railroad tracks that we walked together for several years to St. Johns.
After college we kind of lost track of each other until our paths crossed one day at a fast food joint on Dorsett when he was with Schnucks.
We had alot of good times together when we were scouts and I can remember his dad being very involved in the design and manufacturing of our custom made scout truck back when that was legal. Froze our butts off at Beaumont during the winter and sweated our butts off at summer camp at Irondale.
Glad his relatives followed in his footsteps and got their Eagle Award because I just returned from KCMO where my grandson just got his Eagle. Only 4% make it to Eagle and that’s not counting girls but that’s a whole other story and we won’t go there. John will be missed because I know the feeling after losing my wife 3 years ago after 51 years. Enjoy the memories, photos, and videos of an old friend of mine. RIP you old shade tree mechanic. God Bless your family.