CASSEYVILLE, Ill.–– Orville N. Mueth, born March 25, 1926, in East St. Louis, Ill., entered the church triumphant on Jan. 11, 2010.

Orville was a driving force for UM Men in southern Illinois. A life member and a fellow in the John Wesley Society, he held many offices in the district and conference. He helped start a father-son weekend for the former Southern Illinois Conference. Several years ago the local chapter of UM Men was renamed the Orville N. Mueth Chapter of UM Men in Caseyville. The chapter has 57 EMS members.

As a leader and instructor in the conference and district lay speaking programs, Orville saw 22 of his students enter into some type of ministry; many now serve as pastors. He was a 50-year volunteer for Heifer International and was named volunteer of the year in 2001. In November, his friends and family presented a $5,000 “Heifer Gift Ark” in his name.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sylvia, four children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.