James Allen “Jamie” Mueller, 78, of Milan, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, October 22nd, 2026 at Unity Point Trinity, Rock Island.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 12, 2026 at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 201 East 4th Avenue, Milan, Illinois. Memorials can be made to Sherrard Fire Department and Ambulance.

Jamie was born on November 12, 1947 in Moline, Illinois. He was the son of Warren and Margie (Fitzpatrick) Mueller. Jamie was the second child of the five siblings. He was raised in Sherrard, IL and attended school there, graduating in 1965. He attended Canton Community College, then transferred to MacMurray College Jacksonville, IL, where he received an associate’s degree in Applied Science.

On April 1st, 2000, Jamie was united in marriage to the love of his life, Diana Spurgeon, in Bridger, Montana. From this union he gained 2 daughters and eventually 6 grandchildren. They lived in Sherrard, later building their dream home in Milan, IL.

Jamie had a very long career with the United States Postal Service, following in the footsteps of both of his parents. Starting off, while his father, who was a rural mail carrier, was away with the US Army Reserves, he would deliver the mail while his mother drove the route. Jamie delivered rural mail from the Geneseo and Milan Post Offices. Jamie retired after 38 years in 2015.

Jamie’s parents owned and operated a farm on the edge of the town of Sherrard, where he spent lots of time. One of his fondest memories was raising pigs. This fondness for pigs led him to having a front yard full of blow up “Santa Pigs” every Christmas with the herd growing each year.

Jamie was a huge sports fanatic. In high school, he played baseball, football, basketball, track and golf, when he could find the time. Later in life, Jamie coached the women's Knoxville Tap softball team and played slow pitch men’s softball for the Knoxville Tap. He was an avid fan of the LA Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and the Fighting Illini. Jamie had a wealth of knowledge in sports and especially baseball. He also enjoyed playing darts, pool and piks.

Jamie was a collector of many things but especially Budweiser Beer Steins and was a charter member of the Budweiser Collectors Club. He had a huge collection of music on vinyl and CDs and was often asked to provide his patriotic playlist for the 4th of July. He collected Coke Cola memorabilia and coins in his later years.

Jamie was a talented woodworker. He built many things including rocking horses, baby cradles, toy barns, a bench to sit at his grandson’s grave and as of late, he crafted beautiful checkerboard cutting boards. He was also an inventor and fabricated anything they needed around the house, shop or barn. He did all the maintenance on their house and vehicles, a jack of all trades.

Jamie deeply believed in faith, family and country. He was always caring for the needs of his mother, aunts, uncle, nieces and nephews. He showed up at Christmas with a Whitey's gift card for every family member. He voted in every eleaction and was a staunch conservative. He was raised both Catholic and Presbyterian and was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Sherrard.

Survivors include his wife, Diana; children, Stacy (Daniel) Fox, Viola, IL and Kelly (Robert) Fox, Redig, S.D.; grandchildren, Kelly Marsh, Isabelle (Dean) Fox, Madeline (Noah) Norris, Aislynn Fox and Abby Fox; great grandsons, Atwood, William and Timothy; sister, Sharon (Chuck) Myers, Owen Cross

Road, AL; brother, Mark “Moe” (Dena) Mueller, Orion, IL; sister-in-law, Linda Mueller, Hopewell, NJ; brother-in-law, Jim Farber, Davenport, IA and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Rhett W. Fox, sister, Patricia “Trish” Farber and brother, Dennis Mueller.