Craig R. "Lucky" Mueller, 68, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in his home. A celebration of life gathering will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at The Avacentre at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Please wear your favorite baseball cap in honor of Lucky.

Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garnavillo, with inurnment following in Garnavillo Community Cemetery.

He gained his nickname through his friends who said, "He brought luck to them to have him around."

Born Dec. 29, 1947, in McGregor, Iowa, he grew up in Garnavillo and graduated from Garnavillo High School. He was active in sports, lettering in basketball and baseball. He belonged to FFA, showing, alongside his brothers, their brown swiss cattle, winning many ribbons and bells.

He was raised and worked hard alongside his brothers and sisters on the family dairy farm. After high school, he attended Upper Iowa University.

Moving to Cedar Rapids, he worked at Wilson & Co. / Farmstead packinghouse for 20 years in refrigeration maintenance until the doors shut in 1990. He retired from Iowa Glass due to the onset of cancer in 2004.

He played fast pitch for the Wilson & Co./Farmstead industrial league team, taking citywide championship in 1970. He played slow pitch on the city league – one team  for sure was Southside Tavern. He excelled in bowling, darts and pool. He loved to play euchre in tournaments around town. He was a wonderful singer and enjoyed karaoke.

He fought the good fight against cancer for 12 years.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ivy and Harry Mueller; his brother, David; and baby sister, Maryann.

He was one of 10 children. He is survived by his wife, Mary Patricia; his two sons, Dr. Chad Mueller and Tasha and Clint Mueller and fiancee Grace (Kramer); his two stepsons, Jerry Hathcock and Shelly and Patrick Mulhern and Tara; four grandsons, Reed, Gram, Evan and Paxton; and a granddaughter, Avea. His remaining family are Kay and Lynn Ihde and Kathy and Wanyn Helle, both of Garnavillo, Sue and Lee Connell of Cedar Rapids, Amy Wrightsman of Decorah, Hedie and Charles Berns of Iowa City, Bruce (Bonnie) Mueller of Iowa City and Dennis Mueller of De Witt.

He was an absolute fan until the end of the Green Bay Packers ... he rooted for the Cubs, but was locked into the Braves, his favorite team.

He will be missed by all who knew him.

Memorials may be directed to American Cancer Society.

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