Jay E. Mueller, a retired third-generation owner of the Tri-Cities’ longest operating funerary business, died May 28 in Kennewick. 

Mueller, 80, along with his late sister Gail Riddell, led Mueller’s Funeral Homes and Desert Lawn Memorial Park from the early 1980s through 2012, having taken over from their father Benston Amon Mueller. But the family business figured into most every stage of his life, from being a last-minute vocal soloist at services to bringing homemade cookies to the funeral home office in retirement. 

“Jay loved being a funeral director and helping people during their most difficult days. He operated at the highest level of integrity,” according to an obituary published by Mueller’s Funeral Homes. 

Growing up, he worked in the family business, founded in Kennewick by his grandfather Irvin Nicholas “I.N.” Mueller in 1910, before graduating from Kennewick High School and heading to Eastern Washington University. He interrupted his studies to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.  

Jay Mueller eventually obtained a bachelor’s degree in business management from Brigham Young University and a mortuary science degree from Mt. Hood Community College. 

He and his sister continued to grow the family business during their tenure, buying Pasco’s Greenlee Funeral Home and taking over management of Kennewick’s Riverview Heights Cemetery at 10th Avenue and Olympia Street. His last project before retirement was starting Paws to Remember, a pet cremation service.  

He also ensured Mueller’s provided hundreds of free burial rights for veterans at Desert Lawn Memorial Park because there was no national veterans cemetery near the Tri-Cities. 

His community engagement included lifelong support of Kennewick High athletics and music programs, including helping send the marching band to the Rose Parade in 2002 and donating to Lampson Stadium. He also had many roles and activities within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

He married Charlene Mansius in 1968 and they had five children. One of his daughters, Amy Coffman, is among the current three owners of the family business. 

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. June 19 at Mueller’s Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union St. in Kennewick. 

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. June 20 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kennewick East Stake Center, 515 S. Union St., Kennewick. Interment with military honors will follow at Desert Lawn Memorial Park in Kennewick.