Jeffrey Mueller

On Monday April 12th, 2021, Jeffrey T. Mueller, aka Papa aka Magnum aka Skipper, passed away from being an “old man”, in his home with his dog by his side.

Born February 2nd, 1958 in Chicago, IL to Helen (Kielbasa) and Theodore K. Mueller (He would want us to note that at 63, he was the oldest living male in his immediate family and was pretty dang proud of it.) Jeff graduated from Harper College and went to begin the legend that is now today J.T. Curtis, Inc., working as a Steel Architect (the company named lovingly after his father, son, and of course himself). But before he made his name, he learned his trade working for Composite Steel, where he always spoke so highly of the men he learned and grew from. Dad was so proud to have finally learned how to use a computer and really made a name for himself and his work, but somehow never got around to figuring out that cell phone (I still blame Samsung). Jeff was married to Mary K. Havell (Paul Longeway) on November 26th 1986 and proudly went on to create and raise two of the coolest people on the planet, Theodore and Alanna (Dad would take the “cool” credit). Fun fact, if you look up “Worlds Best Dad” in the dictionary, you’ll find a photo of his face. When Dad wasn’t working his business or on his home and backyard, coaching his sons sports teams, cracking really impressive Dad Jokes, or wowing all the ladies with his long hair as the Drummer in his band days, he was either fishing on his prized bass boat, golfing, racing on his VR, tinkering with his car (and dreaming of his one day Corvette), or relaxing. But that all was very few and far between as his main role was “Papa” to his three grand-daughters (Elliana, Nora, Charlotte) and he put that role before any other in his life, up until his last living breath.

Survivors include his mother, Helen Mueller (Kielbasa), sister, Joyce Mueller, children, Theodore and Alanna, the most beautiful grandchildren, Elliana and Nora (Mueller), lots of the “huge Polish Family”, and his beloved best friend, Kilby.

In addition to his father, Jeff was preceded in death by his grand-daughter Charlotte in 2019, who is currently and forever attached to his hip (he’s still babysitting even after he’s gone. Sorry, Dad.)
A memorial and celebration of life will be held at Jeff’s home in Bartlett, Sunday April 18th, from 1-4PM. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Mueller family, or the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia International Foundation at cdhi.org.