Bruce Mueller created The Gem Shop in Rockton

Bruce Mueller, with his family, founded The Gem Shop in downtown Rockton, IL and the C&M Rock Shop in Beulah, MI. A retired Rockford secondary education teacher, Bruce enjoyed rock and fossil hunting.

He died at 8:45 a.m., Monday, November 13, 2023 in his own home after a brief illness at age 92.

Bruce was born on May 22, 1931 in Moline, IL the son of Wilbur and Meryle (Thornburg) Mueller. He graduated as a member of Phi Beta Kappa from Augustana College with a bachelor's degree in geology. He earned his master's degree in geology at University of Illinois-Champaign. He married Shirley Ingersoll in Moline, IL on December 8, 1950. He retired from teaching in 1986. 

Survivors include wife Shirley; sons Kevin (Leena) and Paul Mueller; grandson Bryan; granddaughter Leesa; numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brothers Paul Mueller and Keith Mueller.

A celebration of life has been rescheduled to Monday, December 11, 2023 at 12 p.m. in McCorkle Funeral Home - Rockton Chapel, 767 N. Blackhawk Blvd. with celebrant Howard Katz officiating. Burial will be in Rockton Township Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until time of ceremony.

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