Tuesday, September 24th, 1929 - Wednesday, December 27th, 2023
A graveside service will be held for Joy Mueller, at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma, at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, January 3, 2024. A memorial service will be 2:00 pm, Thursday, January 4, at Hillsdale Bible Church with Pastor Dr. Robert Courtney officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 to 1:45 prior to the Thursday service in the HBC fellowship hall. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory.
Reba “Joy” Mueller was born September 24, 1929, to Tom and Chella Kent in Hominy, Oklahoma. Her parents were two young educators who took their first jobs in the oil fields of Osage county. They soon returned to western Oklahoma to help save the family farm during the dust bowl. She was raised in Delhi, Oklahoma, and graduated from Delhi High School in 1947 where her father was the principal. She then attended the University of Oklahoma School of Nursing, graduating in 1951. She fulfilled her lifelong dream of working as an RN initially at Children’s Medical Center. She married Karl Nathan Mueller May 31, 1952. They immediately departed for Marine OCS (Officer Candidate School) at Quantico, Virginia, followed by Karl’s first overseas assignment to the war in Korea. This was followed by the addition of daughters, Susan, and Karen. Karl and Joy had multiple assignments across the United States and the Pacific Ocean over the next 29 years. During each assignment, she created a home that flourished while raising her girls. During the Vietnam war Karl was deployed as an artillery battalion commander while Joy stayed in Sayre, Oklahoma and worked full time as a RN in the municipal hospital. Among her honors Joy was given the “Molly Pitcher” award for her contributions to improve the U.S. Field Artillery Community during Karl’s command of the Fort Sill Marine Artillery detachment. Their last assignment was at Fleet Marine Force Pacific, Camp H. Smith, Hawaii. This was her favorite duty station.
Upon retirement, Karl and Joy returned to the Fort Sill Lawton community in 1981 where she volunteered with several charitable and civic organizations. She was an avid reader and a member of multiple book clubs. She was also known for her gardening, beautiful flowers, and hospitality.
After Karl’s death in 2011, Joy moved to Enid, OK to be closer to family and she departed to her eternal home on December 27, 2023. Karl and Joy attended the New Post Chapel at Fort Sill while living at Lawton, and Joy was a member of Hillsdale Bible Church.
Joy is preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Chella Kent, sister, Phyllis Hartpence, brother, Joe Kent, and son in law, Steve Walton. She is survived by her daughters, Susan Walton, and Karen Whitson (husband Brian), grandchildren, Kristy Siedleski, Katie Battjes (husband Jordan), Lindsey Walton, Paige Whitson, Nathan Whitson (wife Elisha), and Blaine Whitson (wife Savannah), great grandchildren, Taylor, Alexis, Cassidy, Olivia, Hayden, Adilyn, Chase, and Kendrick, and great-great grandchild, Levi.
We want to thank the staff at Brookdale Senior Living Center and other caregivers for their love and care for Joy, as she loved them as well.
Memorials can be made to Hillsdale Christian School with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com. Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
A United Methodist Retirement Community
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Enid's Only Faith-based, Not-For-Profit, Complete Continuous Care Community. Including Long Term Care, Skilled Nursing, Memory Care, Assisted Living, Independent Living Apartments and Townhomes.
