Mueller, Christian Frederich (1881-1972)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Jan 20 p. 6

Birth date: 1881 Dec 14

text of obituary:

Long-Time 'Y' Leader Dies at Reedley

Reedley, Calif. — Funeral services for C. F. Mueller, 90, long-time executive secretary of the Fresno County YMCA, were held Jan. 11 at the First Mennonite Church here. He died Jan. 9 at a Reedley rest home after a long illness.

A native of Kansas, Mr. Mueller came here in 1909 and operated a dry goods store for 10 years before his appointment as head of the YMCA. He continued in that capacity until his retirement in 1954.

He pioneered in a camping program at Lake Sequoia, and was instrumental in founding Camp Gaines there. The hospital at the camp bears his name. He secured a building for the local branch of the Red Cross, now known as the Social Service Center. He founded the Fresno Christian Endeavor Society and the California State Sunday School Convention, and was the organizer of the male chorus at the First Mennonite Church.

In recognition of his outstanding community service, Reedley's largest park was named the "C. F. Mueller Park."

He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Marie Bergthold of Reedley.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Mar 9 p. 11

text of obituary:

CHRISTIAN F. MUELLER

Christian Frederick Mueller was born to Gottlub [sic Gottleib] and Louise Scheib Mueller on Dec. 14, 1881, in the village of Schleissweiler, Sulzbach a/d Murr, Wurttemberg, Germany. He was reared in the Evangelical Lutheran Church where he was confirmed at the age of 13 years.

With his parents he immigrated to this country, locating at Frederick, Kan. on May 18, 1894. He attended the Enterprise Normal Academy from 1900 to 1905, and Kansas Wesleyan University at Salina, 1905 to 1906. From 1906 to 1909 he taught school in St. Francis, Kan., where he held the principalship of the Cheyenne County High School. It was at this time that he was married to Luella Gugler, who was his faithful companion for 63 years. She passed away in January of 1969 after a long illness. To this union was born a daughter who died the day of birth.

In September 1909 C. F. and Luella moved to Reedley, Calif. where he established C. F. Mueller and Company, a dry goods store. He operated this business as one of Reedley's early merchants for ten years.

Shortly after their arrival in Reedley, C. F. and Luella joined the First Mennonite Church in Reedley, transferring their membership from the Methodist Church of St. Francis, Kan. Both were active in the work of the church. C. F. taught in the Sunday school and conducted teacher training classes for many years. Music was always an important part of his life and its was under his direction that the Men's Chorus of the First Mennonite Church grew to be a rather prominent service group singing in the church and giving many concerns in churches in various parts of the state.

He was the leader and organizer of the Fresno County Christian Endeavor Society and leader and organizer of the California State Sunday School Convention. He was a member of the Reedley High School Board of Trustees for eight years and a charter member of the Reedley Kiwanis Club where he held the Kiwanis legion of honor.

Under C. F.'s direction the Fresno County YMCA developed a tremendous program as he served in the capacity of Executive Secretary for some 35 years, retiring in march 1954. Many improvements and innavations [sic] were made in the "Y" program, not the least of which is the developments of the "Y" facilities at Sequoia Lake for summer camping programs. The fact that a giant Redwood tree has been named the "C. F. Mueller Tree," the hospital at Camp Gaines is known as "C. F. Mueller Memorial Hospital," and the City of Reedley has dedicated and named a city park, "C. F. Mueller Park" all attest to the dedicated effort of his work for youth and the appreciation of those he served so well.

Since the fall of 1968 C. F. had been a resident of Sierra View Homes. He passed away Jan. 9 at the age of 90 years. Survivors include only one sister, Mrs. Marie Bergthold of Reedley, and a number of nieces and nephews. Survivors really include a multitude of children and adults of the YMCA and the church for whom he devoted so much of his life. A YMCA Campership Fund has been established as a memorial. Memorial services were held January 12, 1972 at First Mennonite Church, Reedley.

The Mennonite obituary: 1972 Feb 22 p. 136