Clarice Ann Mueller

November 4, 1927—August 30, 2024

Clarice Ann (Jones) Mueller was born at home in Cumberland Furnace, TN on November 4, 1927. She passed away on August 30, 2024 in Rittman, OH. She was 96.

Clarice is survived by her loving children Ted (Sue), Kurt, and Joy Bauman (Jim); grandchildren Trey Mueller, Kara Bauman Fish (Joe), Kyle Bauman, and Kaleb Bauman (Kylee); and great granddaughters Kovie Fish and Keyton Fish. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband William "Bill" Mueller, longtime senior pastor at Strongsville Missionary Church, Strongsville, OH, and also at Spring Lake Missionary Church, Spring Lake, IL, and by her younger siblings Mayme and Edwin.

Early life in that small town was filled with wonderful memories for Clare until her mother became ill with cancer, a disease even less understood and more frightening than it is today. So, with her mother, Clare and her siblings made the harrowing journey by train to Michigan amid the devastating floods of 1936, with her younger brother Edwin on her lap much of the way. They were headed for Detroit, the city where her father had found stable work making automobile bumpers—and where experimental treatments for cancer promised better health outcomes. Detroit would become Clare's new home.

One of Clare's fondest memories of growing up in Detroit was her part-time job during high school working as a soda jerk, which is how she mastered the art of making not only sodas but also fabulous chocolate milk shakes—served to factory workers and Saturday night opera fans in fur coats alike. That, along with a passion for delicious home-made cooking, was a skill she carried throughout her life.

Clare graduated from Central High School in Detroit, MI, in 1947 where she earned her varsity letter jacket in street hockey, and from Fort Wayne Bible College, IN, in 1953, where she earned her bachelor's degree in religious education. She and Bill met while in college. They were married at Zoller Gospel Tabernacle in Detroit on August 22, 1953. Clare and Bill were happily married for 58 years.

In between graduating from high school and entering Fort Wayne Bible College, Clare interned at an orphanage in Corbin, KY, called the Galilean Children's Home. One of the things she enjoyed most was occasionally taking the children to a nearby gas-station restaurant that served, among other things, fried chicken. It was run by a man named Harland Sanders, eventually known to the rest of the world as Colonel Sanders and the founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant chain.

Above all else, Clare loved Jesus and Clare loved people. Many people will remember her for the exquisitely tender and juicy turkeys she prepared, which were her kitchen specialty, enjoyed by family and friends and anyone else lucky enough to get a taste. But she had an equally passionate and tender desire to see people, especially children, come to know and love her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; she was a gifted Bible teacher to children; many returned years later to affirm her spiritual gifts for both teaching as well as hospitality. She also had a beautiful soprano voice and loved roses dearly. Her devoted family and friends will miss her greatly and look forward to seeing her again in Heaven.

Clare's family would like to express its heartfelt thanks to the Apostolic Christian Home of Rittman, where she spent the last several years of her life. We are deeply grateful for the outstanding care and compassion she received from such a loving, dedicated staff while a resident at the facility there.

A Homegoing Service for Clarice is scheduled for Friday, September 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM; the family will receive guests from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, prior to the service in the Waite Funeral Home 765 N Court St.  Medina, OH 44256.  The Committal Service will be at Spring Grove Cemetery, a brief reception following the services. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Child Evangelism Fellowship at cefonline.com.