Date of death: 7/10/2023
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1967
James “Jim” G. Mueller, born March 18, 1939, in Chicago, IL and died on July 10, 2023, at his residence in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jim has lived in Cincinnati since 1972. He was also in Cincinnati from 1968-9, serving as pastor of the college center at the monastery in Mt. Adams. Part of the Congregation of the Passionists, a religious order, from 1953 until 1971. Ordained a priest in 1967. Married Susan (nee Purdy) in February 1971. Survived by Susan and three children born to them: Jenny (Jeff Hardin) Mueller, Brian (Melissa Hollingsworth) Mueller and Peter (Melinda Bower) Mueller. Jim and Susan were/are both only children but have been blessed with loving friends and spiritual companions. Jim will be remembered as reliable friend and confidant who was always willing to listen and help others.
Jim was a social worker at The Children’s Home in Cincinnati; was treatment director at St. Joseph Orphanage (now New Path Child and Family Solutions) and at Altercrest; was an adjunct professor of Communication Arts at Xavier University from 1974-2004. Jim’s children helped introduce him to soccer and he played on the “Over age 40” team called the Condors in College Hill. He also refereed high school soccer and is a loyal FC Cincinnati fan. Jim enjoyed traveling to visit friends in Florida, Ireland, New Orleans, Canada, Texas and Paris. He also enjoyed choral singing and spent time cultivating his flower gardens. He was a member of New Jerusalem Community in the late 1970s and 80s, and still is part of a group who were also in New Jerusalem, and who continue to meet for prayer and friendship.
He is a member of St. Bernard Parish, Spring Grove Village. He volunteered at Our Daily Bread for many years. He is a member of Ohio Illuman and appreciated the fellowship and support he found there with his son, Brian, along with other men. Jim organized a ZOOM meeting with other former Passionist classmates who call themselves FLL (Friends for Life). Jim was a spiritual seeker and avid reader. In recent years he became a faithful meditator. Now he has found the LIGHT in abundance, full of joy and answers, and the peace and fulfillment of the hope and faith he lived here on earth.