Charles Frederick Mueller, 81, of Waterloo, died at Allen Memorial Hospital on Friday, October 17, 2008, following a ruptured aortic aneurysm.

Chuck was born June 16, 1927 in Waterloo, the son of Otto Sr. and Beryl (Lacey) Mueller. He graduated from East High School in 1945. He served with the Army in Germany.

Chuck married Dorothy Fulton on June 28, 1947 in Waterloo.

He worked as a Shift Engineer at Rath Packing Co. until the plant closed in 1986. He had also served as Chief Union Steward for UPWA Local 46. He worked as Powerhouse Shift Engineer for UNI until his retirement. Chuck was instrumental in establishing one of the first employee stock ownership plans in the country at Rath’s and had given lectures for classes at University of Iowa and Cornell University on employee ownership.

He was an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Chuck and Dorothy were active as Table Parents in the Logos Youth Ministry at First Christian Church in Cedar Falls.

Chuck is survived by his wife Dorothy of Waterloo; sons: Mike and his wife Vicki of Lincoln, Nebraska, Max and his wife Barb of Olathe, Kansas, and Tom Mueller of Chandler, Texas; daughter Lynn Laursen and her husband Jeff of Lakehills, Texas; seven grandchildren: Marianne (Jim Bob) Warren, Ben Mueller, Morgan (Nate) Louderback, Mackenzie Mueller, Emily Mueller and Daniel and Eric Pompa; four great grandchildren: Jenny and Lizzie Warren and Camille and Nate Jr. Louderback; and his sister Betty Johnson and her husband Eldon of Cedar Falls.

He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Judith Ann, and two brothers Otto Jr. and Robert Mueller.