Eleanor M. Mueller, age 91, of Wheeling and formerly of Chicago, died peacefully Sunday, Jan. 11, 2004 at her home. Born Dec. 4, 1912, the beloved daughter of the late George and Ella, nee Seilheimer, Mueller; loving sister of the late May (Charles) Boness and the late Dorothy (Walter) Chapman; devoted aunt of Charlotte (Myrt) Ashbacher, Nancy Nasser, the late Sue (William) Thomas, Bonnie (Rev. Gerald) Switzer, William (Linda) Boness, Sally Kopke, James Boness, Robert (Ruth) Boness, Judy (Jack) Wilson, David (Karen) Chapman, Bruce (Laura) Chapman, Leslie (Valerie) Chapman, Pamela (Robert) Reidlen, Paul Chapman and many grandnieces and nephews. Eleanor attended Trumbull Elementary School and Senn, Lucy Flowers and Schurz High Schools in Chicago. After graduating from Schurz in 1930, she became an apprentice dressmaker. In 1934, Eleanor got a job as an upholstery sewer and joined the Women’s Furniture Workers’ Union, Local 112 which began her lifelong affiliation with the labor union movement. Local 112 later merged into the Upholsterer’s Union, Local 18. She was a Life Member of Service Employees’ Union, Local 73. She was a delegate for the Women’s Trade Union League, secretary of the Union Label League and active in the Chicago and the Illinois State Federations of Labor. Beginning in 1945, she served as a delegate at 37 consecutive AFL-CIO conventions. She also served as Secretary of the Chicago Union Label and Service Trades Council from 1945 to 1970. Eleanor always adhered to the policy of “Buy American” and examined all purchases to “Look for the Union Label.” After passing one of the first Civil Service examinations held by the City of Chicago, Eleanor began working at the Cook County Department of Welfare, first in the Medical Division and then in the Cashier’s Office. In 1951 she joined the Chicago Board of Education’s Division of Health Services, which at the time was developing its in-school nurses program. In 1968 she transferred to the Division of Employee Benefits. She served on the Executive Board and as Secretary of the Chicago Municipal Employees’ Society from 1955 until her retirement in 1978. Eleanor had been a member in good standing of the Logan-Avondale Ladies Auxiliary V.F.W. since June, 1936. She was a member of Unity Lutheran Church in Chicago from 1927 until 1983, where she served on the Altar Guild, making altar cloths by hand. She also served the church as Financial Secretary. After retiring, Eleanor moved to Wheeling, IL and became active at the Pavillion Senior Citizen’s Center and in the Forever Young Group at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. She had many interests and talents, including knitting, crocheting, cooking and baking. Her handmade afghans and Christmas stockings are keepsakes that are cherished by her family and friends. She was also very pleased when she heard people comment that her baked goods looked like they could be pictured in a cookbook. She traveled extensively in the United States, Europe and Scandinavia. Visitation Wednesday 2 to 9 p.m. at Kolssak Funeral Home, Ltd., 189 S. Milwaukee Ave. (two blocks south of Dundee Road), Wheeling. Funeral Services Thursday, Jan. 15. In state from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the Service at 11:30 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1111 N. Elmhurst Road, Prospect Heights, IL 60070. In leiu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. For information 847-537-6600
