Ralph F. Mueller, Jr.

LTC Ralph F. Mueller, USA (RTD), passed away on Sunday, August 6, 2023, age 94, of Finleyville, PA, husband of the late Sarah Jeanne Mueller (nee Ritchie) and father of Marilyn J. Hetzel (H.Frederick) and Ralph F. Mueller III (Paula S), grandfather of Brian P. Matter (Amber), Jessica A. Concannon (Christian),ur Melinda S. Matter, Samantha S. Mueller, Michael S. Hetzel (Megan), Amanda H. Flory (Michael), and David F. Hetzel, great-grandfather of McKayla J. and Caysee J. Matter, Ailse M. and Tabatha L. Concannon, Eleanor R. Matter, Oliver M. Flory, Alexis, Eliot, William, also several nieces and a nephew and cousins. He was the son of the late Ralph F. and Emma S. Mueller (nee Hennel) and the brother of an unnamed baby sister Mueller, and the late Gertrude L. McCallister and Carol J. Mueller. 

Ralph was a graduate of the Mt. Oliver School System and Brentwood High School. In addition, he attended numerous classes at Penn State, McKeesport and the University of Pittsburgh, Oakland, in Engineering but did not graduate. 

Ralph was a long time member of Penna Army National Guard, both on active and inactive duty in all the enlisted grades and commissioned grades and rose to LTC as the Commander of the 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry Regiment, when it was stationed in Scottdale, PA. He also served many years in the 107th Field Artillery Battalion at Hunt Armory, the 2nd Infantry Brigade in Washington, PA and the 28th Infantry Division Headquarters in Harrisburg, PA. 

He was a graduate of the US Army’s Infantry and Field Artillery Schools, Command & General Staff College, Army Industrial College, and Army War College and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge (2), Meritorious Service Medal w/2 OLC, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, in addition to other various service awards. 

Ralph was also a retiree of Duquesne Light Co. with 43 years of service in 1990 and was a charter member of IBEW Local Union 148 (now LU 29) as a Lineman, Hot Line Crew Leader, and Line Foreman prior to stepping back into the bargaining unit in a Crew Leader’s position. During these years, he worked in all the districts with and learned from some of the finest Linemen in the Company. He was also privileged to work with so many of those that were his apprentices especially at the old Banksville Garage. 

Ralph was a 50 year plus member and thrice Past Master of Monongahela Lodge #269 (now William D. McIllroy Lodge #269), (and further merged with Dallas Lodge #231), a Life Member of Morrison-Ritchie Post #613, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Assn of the U.S. Army, National Guard Assn, and U.S. Army War College Foundation, plus membership in the Masonic Veterans of Western Penna, Carrick Sportsmen’s Club, PA National Guard Assn, 28th Infantry Division Assn and the Brentwood High School Alumni Assn.  

Ralph was a member of the now disbanded Birmingham United Church of Christ, long known as the “OLD ROOSTER CHURCH” on the Southside from birth and served on the Church Council as a Deacon, Elder, and President over the years. 

Visitation will be Thursday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the David J. Henney Funeral Home, 6364 Library Road (RT 88), Library, PA, where the Funeral Service will be Friday at 10:45 a.m. with the Rev. Charles E. Brauchler doing the service and eulogy. Burial will follow next to his beloved Sarah Jeanne in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies with Full Military Honors. www.davidhenneyfuneralhome.com

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