He was born in rural Liberty to George W. and Ferris “Topsy” (Oliver) Muller on Oct. 2, 1936, and attended rural Coffeyville schools and Field Kindley High School. He married Patricia Jane Wishall on Oct. 12, 1957, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville. They shared over 54 years of marriage.
At an early age, Larry competed in horse racing at the Montgomery County Inter-State Fair during the 1940s and 1950s, winning races on a Shetland pony when he was only 8 years old. He continued to race horses at various events through 1951. He farmed for Violet Kohler of the Brown Mansion in the 1950s. He enjoyed hunting, the outdoors, and was also an avid follower of sports. Larry loved all aspects of the farm, especially ranching, horses and cattle.
In the 1940s, he joined his father in the construction business. George W. Muller, Fred Muller and Larry formed Muller Construction Inc. in 1964. They performed various types of soil conservation, site preparation, road construction and worked on numerous projects in the Coffeyville Refinery for over 60 years. Larry built many long-lasting relationships and credited much of his success to his loyal clients and many trusted business associates. He enjoyed going back and seeing projects that helped to make improvements to various areas in Southeast Kansas and Northeast Oklahoma. Larry was very close to and proud of his many dedicated employees and appreciated their hard work and efforts. His greatest joys were his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandsons, extended family and friends. He loved family time and the grandchildren’s activities, attending all he could.
He, along with his brother Fred, was a recipient of the Montgomery County Kansas Banker’s Association Soil Conservation Award for 2009 and the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year in 2007. He was a member of the Holy Name Catholic Church of Coffeyville, the Knights of Columbus Council 991, Kansas Livestock Association, National Council of Beef Association, Kansas Contractors Association and was a member of the Kansas Land Improvement Contractors Association for 49 years. In addition, he was a longtime member of the Montgomery, Labette and Nowata Counties Conservation Districts, the Second Thursday Investment Club and had served on the Inter-State Fair and Rodeo committee.
He is survived by his wife, Pat, of the home; one son, Mark (Lisa) Muller, Coffeyville; three daughters, Terri Graybill, Coffeyville, Lori (Steve) Krysztof, Baldwin City, and Pat Brothers, Mound Valley; 11 grandchildren, Jayne (Ryan) Robson, Joe Muller, Rebecca (Marcus) Murrow, Jesse Muller, Hannah Graybill, Katie (Martin) Delaney, Emily, Brianna and Michaela Krysztof, Maddie and Lyndsey Brothers; two great-grandsons, Ryley Robson and Max Delaney; one brother, Fred (Sharon) Muller; and three sisters, Betty Terry, Nadine (Kenny) Hunt and Donna Oestman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Margie Gillman, brother George A., nieces Vicky Crabtree and Patsy Storm and nephew Fred Green.
The rosary service will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at Holy Name Catholic Church, Coffeyville. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, also at Holy Name Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Coffeyville. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.
The family would welcome memorials to Holy Name Catholic Church, Harry Hynes Hospice or Coffeyville Regional Medical Center Foundation and they may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Road, Coffeyville, 67337.
To leave a message for the family, please visit www.dwbfh.com.
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