Muller, Eldon Peter

Eldon Peter Muller, 72, of Monticello, died Monday, May 16, 2011, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today at the Kramer Funeral Home, Monticello, where a Knights of Columbus rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. and prayer vigil service will be held at 8 p.m. Eldon wanted this to be a time of sharing for any stories you may remember about him.

Mass of Resurrection will be at noon Wednesday, May 18, at Sacred Heart Church. Officiating will be Father Keith Birch. Eldon donated his body to science.

Eldon was born Feb. 12, 1939, the son of Matthew E. and Catherine H. (Kurt) Muller in Monticello, Iowa. He married Antoinette “Toni” Harshbarger on June 26, 1965, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Waterloo, Iowa. They were blessed with three children, David, Linda and Ruth Anne.

Eldon was born and raised in Monticello, farmed with his family, served with the U.S. Navy, worked at Energy and the Anamosa State Reformatory, tuned pianos, did auto body repair and supervised teens at the MHS student center. He truly enjoyed all the youth he supervised and followed them closely throughout their lives. He cared for Russell Marugg and did janitorial services at what is now the Middle School.

The effects of multiple sclerosis caused Eldon to be homebound among other things, yet he never complained. A long-suffering servant of the Lord, he showed us all how to live uncomplaining in submission and love, and how to never feel sorry for oneself and with great grace showed us how to die. You will continue to feel his prayers and love even now. Rejoice for him, he is free and full of life.

Left to continue his legacy are his wife, Toni; their children David of Monticello, Linda (Jim Sirois) of Iowa City, and Ruth (Bobby Pugh) of Raymond; Toni's son, Dr. Peter Kovach of Gilroy, Calif.; his brothers, Ralph, Galen and Tom, all of Monticello, and Dean (Rose Mary) of Milwaukee, Wis.; brother-in-law, Chris (Kathy) Harshbarger of Cedar Falls; a sister-in-law, Mary Harshbarger of Canton, Ga.; eight stepgrandchildren; five nieces; and three nephews.

Preceding him into eternal life are his parents; grandparents; a stepdaughter-in-law, Lynn Kovach; a brother-in-law, Paul Harshbarger; and a sister-in-law, Clare Anne Jacobsmeier.

Memorials are preferred.

Information available and condolences accepted at .