Wayne Mueller’s fondness for the inner workings of business pushed him to get undergraduate and graduate degrees in the subject. But his vibrant nature and love of children made him jump to north suburban high school classrooms.
Mr. Mueller, 65, a business instructor who primarily taught elective classes such as business law for 30 years at District 214 high schools, died of colon cancer Friday, Jan. 24, in his Arlington Heights home.
“He worked in business, and he just wasn’t satisfied there,” said his wife of 33 years, Suzanne. “He liked being in the schools and being around young people, and just thought he would enjoy being in the classroom more.”
Mr. Mueller was born and raised in Arlington Heights. He Mueller got an undergraduate degree in business from the University of Arizona and later a master’s degree in business and finance from Northern Illinois University. He worked in the accounting department for local copy-machine maker Charles Bruning Co. for a short while before changing careers.
In District 214, Mr. Mueller taught at Arlington Hersey, Forest View and Elk Grove High Schools. He retired in 1993.
“He was likable,” said James Wermes, who taught business alongside Mr. Muller for more than 10 years. “He was good with the students and motivated them to do their work. He was hands-on. He didn’t do a lot of lectures.”
Mr. Mueller took interest in his students’ extracurricular activities and often attended high school sporting events, theatrical performances and pep rallies.
“He was a teacher in so many ways besides teaching,” his wife said. “He would go to their football games, their plays. He knew his students were involved, and he liked to see them outside of the classroom.
“He enjoyed teaching children to have a good time and coaching sports. He believed that kids who were busy stayed out of trouble.”
Mr. Mueller was a former board member of the Arlington Heights Youth Athletic Association, where he also coached his daughter’s softball team. He also served as the local president of the German American National Congress, which promotes German language and culture.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Mueller is survived by his daughter, Christine, and his brother, Kenneth. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in St. John United Church of Christ, 308 N. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights.
