DEBEER'S JIM MUHLFELDER PASSES AWAY

By John Weaver

February 3, 2004 - The lacrosse "world" has no idea who Jim Mulfelder was. But most of the lacrosse "industry" knew and loved him. He was the President of deBeer / GAIT Lacrosse and one of the most humble and approachable people in the game. But he was a very special person to those who knew him well. In lacrosse and in life, we meet only a few people as overtly good-hearted and naturally paternal as Jim; people you follow instinctively because they consistently lead by example and never lose their cool. We are drawn to them like great politicians when they speak, only they aren't running for anything. In fact, a few years back, the Lacrosse Industry Council for US Lacrosse was formed, putting all of the manufacturers, retailers, publications and other lacrosse oriented competitors in one room needing to organize for the common good of lacrosse. You could feel the tension in the room, but with very little discussion, an initial leadership group was voted on and the unanimous choice for Chairman was Jim. He was the soft-spoken but effective type. You wanted to please him because he was so positive and thoughtful. After speaking to Jim for just 10 minutes, I knew I could trust him and count on him. And for six years, until his death yesterday, he never let me down.

Jim with US Lacrosse's Steve Stenersen and Tom Ryan

Jim and I shared some great conversations and laughs at the annual lacrosse coaches convention only a month ago and I actually said goodbye to him as he left the hotel to go home. Perhaps, I was awarded some closure which many did not get. But we are all lucky to have known him and that's what is important to those who miss him. I hung out with Jim mostly at conventions and big lacrosse events, but I met him on a field in Howard County, Maryland. He had come out with Brian O'Keefe to see Tommy Ryan and the E-Lacrosse team play a summer league game and we all went to a pizza joint afterwards to eat and have a few beers. We all talked for an hour or two about all kinds of things and I quickly tuned into what the other two had already obviously grasped; that Jim was a perfect mentor without even trying.

I spoke to him on the phone many times over the last six years and he was always a calming influence. He called me when he heard that my father had passed, and we talked for quite a while. The day he was picked by everyone to lead the Industry Group, I remember thinking for a split second, "I should have nominated myself", followed by "If I were a lot more like Jim, I would have been nominated and would not even think of nominating myself". And there's still time, not for nomination, but to be more like Jim, by taking time for people, competing in business without making enemies, leading quietly and without bravado, and most of all, just being kind.

Below we will list ongoing memorials or rememberances from friends of Jim in the industry and any of our readers who knew Jim in Albany. Send your comments here.

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Calling Hours for Jim will be held tomorrow, February 4 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at:

Levine Memorial Chapel, Inc.
649 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 438-1002

Jim's funeral will be Thursday 2/5/04 at 1:30 pm also at the Levine Memorial Chapel.

Contributions can be made in Jim's memory to:
Albany Academy for Girls Athletic Facility
140 Academy Rd.
Albany, NY 12208

and

The Albany Academy
135 Academy Rd
Albany, NY 12208

Condolence cards and letters can be sent to:

Wendy Muhlfelder
88 Carstead Drive
Slingerlands, NY 12159

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REMEMBERANCES AND MEMORIALS

It is with regret and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of Jim Muhlfelder. Jim was a man dedicated to his family, the industry, fellow employees, and work.

Jim loved life from fishing trips to Canada and Lake George to participating in his children's' activities whether through their school or careers. Somehow he managed to put five children through college at one time. That is true dedication. Certainly, he drew much strength through a wonderful relationship with his wife, Wendy.

He will leave a void in our industry. There are few people with more respect and who touched more people throughout the industry. He knew everyone and everyone knew him.

Jim was a kind-hearted man who would do anything he could to help his fellow employees succeed. Jim had a knack for bringing out the best in all of us. I know many of you especially those in the Albany office looked up to him much like a father. He was a great listener and offered sound guidance based on the input from everyone.

He epitomized the true meaning of an entrepreneur. In 1987, when Jim assumed responsibilities of the deBeer division; the division was at a crossroads due to declining ball business. With Jim's vision, he set deBeer in a totally new direction with deBeer Lacrosse. He laid the foundation for a bright future in lacrosse. - John Parish, Worth/Rawlings Inc.


Jim's passing is an incredible shock to me. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jim's family and friends. His untimely passing is a significant loss for our sport. Jim brought vision and wisdom to the lacrosse industry, and US Lacrosse was fortunate to benefit from his involvement in the leadership of our Lacrosse Industry Council. While I'm sure he was as passionate about his business as any of his competitors, I never heard Jim offer a perspective or consideration that was the least bit biased. He was always interested in the overall health and welfare of the sport...and the development of a more progressive, cooperative relationship among the members of the lacrosse industry. - Steve Stenersen, Executive Director of US Lacrosse


In over six years working in the lacrosse manufacturing business, I never heard anyone say a bad word about Jim. In a business where people tell you what you want to hear, Jim was known for being honest and straight forward. I cannot tell you how many times the mere mention of his name was met with... "He's such a good guy." I am a better person for having known and worked along with Jim. He ran deBeer like a family, and I consider myself blessed for having been included in it. Jim Muhlfelder was deBeer lacrosse and the lacrosse community will not be the same without him. - Tom Ryan, deBeer and E-Lacrosse


As a employee and member of the deBeer family I will truly miss Jim and his positive leadership . Being the salesman in the rocky mountain states, I sometimes felt I was outside the normal information loop. I would call the office after hours to leave a message only to get President Muhlfelder answering the phone. Jim would give valuable time to discuss business and life. I never walked away from a conversation with Jim without feeling positively charged. Once I attended a sales meeting in Albany. It ended Sunday afternoon. My flight was scheduled 6:00 a.m. Monday morning. As everyone departed, knowing I didn't have a car, Jim pulled me aside refusing to let me have dinner alone. He called his wife Wendy, asked her to meet us and took me to a seafood restaurant for a nice meal and conversation then returned me to the hotel. Taking his personal time to take care of his people; that is the culture he has created at deBeer. I will live the rest of my life with a little bit of Jim in my heart wherever it takes me. - Dave Brattin, deBeer


I am so saddened by the passing of Jim. What a wonderful man with a passion for life, his family and lacrosse. Jim gave the University of Maryland women's lacrosse program and myself a once in a life time opportunity to showcase Debeer lacrosse and to demonstrate their awesome and innovative women's lacrosse sticks. I have been blessed to have known and worked with Jim. My thoughts and prayers are with his his wife, Wendy, his children and with the wonderful Debeer family. My thoughts are also with Jen, Paul and Michelle who work so hard each day to help Jim's dreams become a reality. - Cindy Timchal, University of Maryland


I have probably known Jim for over 20 years. I first came in contact with Jim through my family's sporting goods store in California. It is obvious that I knew Jim for quite a while before his involvement in Lacrosse began. I came to work for Jim as a sales rep on the west coast about 13 years ago and came to know Jim not only as a boss but as a good friend. Jim was one of those rare individuals that knew that the measure of a man was not how rich or important he became but how important he made others feel. Jim always saw the good in others and always understood that there was a second side to every story. I spoke to Jim less than two weeks ago, we talked about business as well as his family and about my family. At times, we would try and solve the world's problems. Jim could talk about almost any subject, current or past with intelligence. Not only is this a great loss to Jim's family but it is a great loss to the industry, his community and his friends. I am proud to have been able to call Jim a friend. A better man will be hard to find. - Christopher Otto


Our company has done advertising and marketing work for Jim Muhlfelder and deBeer for years, and we are very shocked and saddened by his passing. His family, our country, the lacrosse industry and deBeer has lost a real friend. - Kent Keasler, Miller-Reid, Inc.


Jim was an incredible supporter of US Lacrosse and brought a "big-picture" perspective to the lacrosse industry. Our organization and the sport will miss him greatly. Jim was instrumental in the conception and development of the Lacrosse Industry Council. Above all, he was a generous, gracious and honorable man, who was respected by all. I will miss him dearly. - Kira Muller, US Lacrosse


I was in Albany in the Spring of 2003. Jim took several of us to eat Chinese after a long day of work. I ate something that made me break out in a rash. Jim, without hesitation, grabbed his coat and ran down to the local drug store and bought me some Benadryl. Who knows ... perhaps he saved my life! - Ernie Hobbs, Jr., Worth, Inc.


I only began working with Jim a couple of months ago. I had a chance to meet him in person for the first time in Philadelphia and was looking forward to seeing him again this spring. He had such a nice way about him and a great warm smile. When we left Philadelphia, my son Kevin and I both remarked about what a nice man Jim was. He was a true gentle man. I am sad that I will not get to know him better but will remember our brief time together fondly. - Dave Huntley


Jim was the consummate gentleman; one of those rare individuals who seemed to thrive on the good fortune and well being of others. His focus was outward not inward. He loved the game and was always around it with a big smile and a genuine interest in all he interacted with. Jim was one of the best people in the world to run into on the field, in a restaurant, in the parking lot wherever; he could have you feeling good about yourself, your sons and daughters, and anything you were doing less than five minutes into a conversation. Unfortunately, there are already too few Jim Muhlfelders in the world so we really couldn't afford to lose him.

PS: Jim: Don't forget the tournament dates are August 12-15. I'll be looking for you on field 2! - George Leveille


deBeer has many friends overseas and I know that I can speak for many in the UK who are deeply shocked by this tragic loss. Jim would not be widely known in this country, but the debeer product line speaks volumes for the man. Our deepest sympathy is extended to his family . We will continue to work with zeal for deBeer in his memory. I wish I could have known him better. - Ray Wood, deBeer representative UK nad Europe, Reigate, Surrey, England


I FIRST MET JIM APPROXIMATELY 15 YEARS AGO. IT WAS 1989 WHEN I FIRST STARTED REPRESENTING DEBEER BASEBALL / SOFTBALL. JIM FOUND OUT I PLAYED SOFTBALL TO THE EXTREME AND THIS LEAD TO A GREAT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN US. WHEN THE BASEBALL / SOFTBALL LINE WAS ABSORBED BY WORTH WE CONTINUED TO REPRESENT THE DEBEER LACROSSE LINE.

MY SUCCESS IN THE INDUSTRY IS LARGELY DUE TO JIM MUHLFELDER. JIM SHOWED ME THAT HONESTY, INTEGRITY, LOYALTY, AND HARD WORK COULD PREVAIL OVER ANY OBSTACLE. JIMS LEADERSHIP TURNED THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS INTO A DEBEER TERRITORY. EVERYONE KNEW JIM FROM ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. TO VAIL, COLORADO.

THIS YEAR OUR NATIONAL TRAVEL TEAM WILL WEAR ON OUR SLEEVES "J.M. #1, AS A TRIBUTE TO JIM. JIM WAS ALWAYS HELPFUL TO EVERYONE. HE NEVER HELD A GRUDGE AND HIS LOYALTY TO PEOPLE HE KNEW AND WORKED WITH WAS UNPARALLELED.

JIM WAS NOT ONLY A FRIEND, MENTOR, AND LEADER BUT ALSO ONE OF THE FINEST HUMAN BEINGS I HAVE EVER MET. HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN LEAVE THIS AS A LEGACY? JIM MUHLFELDER DID!! - MIKE MASSONG, MASSONG & ASSOC. / DEBEER


Jim has given everyone at deBeer the opportunity to work within a family. The deBeer family wasn't just in the office, but extended across the country. Jim had a way of making everyone he met feel like they made a friend for life. Jim always wanted to know how you were, not for polite conversation, but because he actually cared and listened to what was going on in your life. I have had the pleasure of knowing Jim for over 10 years and being able to work so closely with him these past 4 years have truly taught me how to be a better person. Jim always treated me with respect and compassion, he also always encouraged, supported, and believed in me with everything I ever wanted to do. He was like having a second dad and will be greatly missed. He always took time to ask me about all my sisters and brothers and what they were doing with their lives. If my sisters came to visit he always sat down and took time to catch up with each of them. Jim was a genuine and special person that unfortunately you don't come across very often. We are all very lucky to have spent the time we did with him and I know that I will hold on to that and try to think of what Jim would do when things get tough. The whole lacrosse and business world lost a treasure in Jim. - Jenny Riitano, deBeer


How can one encapsulate such a genuine and warm man in a few words? I knew Jim from so many perspectives but it is HIS charm, wisdom and steadfast character that will be his enduring legacy, not the products that he brought to market. He will be defined by the lives he touched within the game, outside of the game and all around the game. Jim was a visionary businessman, but most importantly he was a man who listened with his heart, and led with an intellect and passion that mentored many. I am a better person having known him, and heaven is a better place with Jim there. - Gerry Byrne, Six Tribes


The first day Jim walked into J DeBeer & Son, I can remember admiring his quiet confindence, I knew I would like this man. Over the coming years our friendship grew, I will carry with me the fond memories of our fishing together, our many, many conventions, evenings out with Wendy and Mitzy, eating hot wings and having a cold beer, spending quality time with our wives while sight seeing in Reno N.V. I remember when Jim told me about his Idea to start producing DeBeer Lacrosse eqiupment, If you could only hear the passion in his voice, He said John this is going to be exciting, there is a nitch here, we can do well at this, he made me believe, and he made me believe in myself, he taught me so much about life, family values and work ethics. I will cherish our late evening conversations about work and family, Jim played a major role in any success I have had in life. Even after I left the sporting goods industry, Jim made sure we stayed in touch often. He was always concerned about me and my family's well being. The world has lost a great person, I will miss him dearly. - John Vivenzio, deBeer


The Sporting Goods Industry, and all private individuals that knew Jim Muhlfelder, suffered a tremendous loss this week. To never have known Jim truly would have left something lacking in your life. The soothing deep voice, quick smile and hardy laugh could make you feel better on the worst days, and will be sorely missed. I have known Jim since he took over the reins of J. deBeer & Son. He was so helpful when we were setting up a computer network between Worth and deBeer. This could have been a very stressful undertaking without the calmness of Jim to make us feel better when things were not going the way we had intended. My friend, I will miss the hugs and smiles, but will remember you always. I am sure you are running with the big dogs now! - Sandie Simms, Worth, LLC a K2 Company


Almost 10 years ago a close friend and teamate of mine Brian O'keefe became debeer's first lacrosse specific employee when Jim hired him. When Brian told me about his new job I admited that the only business named debeer I knew was the diamond company. Over the next few months he would often mention Jim when we talked repeating to me that Jim was one of the most unique people he had ever met. Brian let me tag along to the coaches convention that year to help out at the debeer display. At this point the lacrosse part of debeer was pretty much a two man band of Jim and Brian. I quickly learned on my own about what type of man Jim was. Here was someone who had zero background in both playing and coaching lacrosse and there he was trying to help the debeer brand grow. I've never been known as a wallflower as people who know me could tell you, but I didnt do much talking that weekend. I watched the way Jim carried and conducted himself and was impressed. Hell, I was blown away. He was so far from the swarmy used car sales man stereotype it wasent funny. It didnt seem to matter the topic any conversations I had with him as he seemed to know a ton about most things. I simply enjoyed talking to the guy plain and simple.

A few years later with the business growing the decision was made to increase the size of debeer lacrosses full time staff. If you polled current college players on if they would want to work full time for a lacrosse company the awnsers would be flooded with yes they would. Jim could have had his pick of all americans and pro players but he went a different way. He hired me and gave me the CNY and western PA area to cover. It was almost like a dream come true for me. Most people never even get a chance to pursue thier dream job and thanks to Jim I wasn't one of them. He gave me my chance and nursed me along in the early days by showing me the proper way to handle my accounts, my partners and myself. Its a sad but true fact that when starting a new job often times people don't get set up to succeed. They are almost set up to fail for some reason or another. That wasent the case with Jim as he set everyone from the designer to the salesmen to the shipping department on a path that if followed would bring great results. Even so, a few years back Jim informed me that I was going to be let go as my numbers were not what they should have been and he was correct. I was hurt about loseing the job but was also hurt because part of me felt like I had let Jim down. The true messure of the type of man he was in my eyes developed a few weeks after I was canned. He offered me a chance to earn some extra money at lacrosse camps I'd commited to work if I teched debeer equipment while working them. That offer blew me away. I doubt im alone when i say that Ive never in my life heard of a president of a company that had fired a staff member for just cause but kept him involved with company in one way or another. Jim gave me a chance to live my dream even if for only a few years, because a few years is more than 99% of people in the world ever get. My life is better and richer for Jim haveing been a part of it. - Brian Bruce


My best memory of Jim outside of the industry council conversations, the bar room chatter during the convention, and the endless fishing stories came the day I called to tell him I was leaving my position at Bacharach Rasin and take a job with STX. I had dealt with all the manufacturers at the time and felt it was my job to inform them all of my decision, if nothing less, as a professionalism and courtesy. I remember leaving Jim a message and never expected a phone call back. Afterall, no one else had called. To my surprise Jim called. He not only called to tell me he got the message but offered his congratulations and expressed his excitement for me as I moved on with the next chapter of my life. The funny thing was that I knew throughout the entire conversation that he meant every word. Jim was not only a great person but a genuine one as well. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten. Just goes to show that even the best of competitors can even be friends! The world could use more guys just like him! - Chris Heim, STX


I first met Jim in 1995 in a Lacrosse Unlimited store on Long Island. He came in to show the first deBeer lacrosse handle. We hit it off right away, and I came to work for Jim about a month later. For the next five years I enjoyed Jim’s company on countless road trips, sales meetings, industry conventions, and summer lacrosse tournaments. I considered Jim always to be more of a friend first, and my boss second. I think everyone who has worked for Jim feels the same way. From the office staff in Albany, to the independent reps across the country selling deBeer. I could talk to him about anything for hours, especially lacrosse. He was a great listener, and his responses were always a learning experience, even if I didn’t understand it at the time. He was always genuinely concerned with my family. It was just a caring you don’t get from many people. His good nature in a room was contagious to all. I could really go on for a few pages about Jim, what he meant to me and how he affected my life. This is a devastating loss for my family and I. I couldn’t be any prouder to say I knew him well. – Brian O’Keefe


THE REAL GIVE & GO. - VG


I've known Jim since we were classmates, fraternity brothers and fellow football players at Dartmouth in the late sixties. We've always been good friends, but we seldom saw each other over the years, except at the occasional college reunion. Then, five years or so ago, I had the great fortune to rekindle my friendship with Jim, through the game of lacrosse--Jim as president of deBeer Lacrosse, and myself as a high school coach; we'd see each other and spend time together every year at the national coach's convention, and speak on the phone arranging camp and all-star game sponsorships. I really looked forward to, and valued seeing Jim at the conventions, and getting to know all the great people at deBeer. After the last convention, there were several times when I almost picked up the phone to call Jim to tell him how much I truly admired and respected what he'd done with his life--he was a guy who absolutely loved what he was doing, at deBeer, loved the people he worked with and the lacrosse community in general, and, most importantly, loved his family and family life immensely. He was a happy man, and he made those around him happy, and that's the greatest thing anyone can accomplish in a life, I think, true success, and I admired him for creating that life, but never got to tell him.

The other thing I wanted to mention about Jim is that he loved to laugh, and he had a great laugh. It was great to get him laughing, because his laugh was so infectious, that it made me laugh, too. He and I shared one hilarious experience, along with about 40 or so other guys at Dartmouth, that we would end up talking about every time we saw each other, making us laugh uncontrollably--that was the Army JV football game our sophomore fall, at West Point. I'm not going to go on about that weekend, but suffice it to say that there are enough stories about it to write a novel or make a football version of Animal House. Jim and I always talked about how somebody, sometime, should collect all the Army JV stories out there and put them together for us all. I may have to do that now, in Jim's memory.

He was a very special guy. We were all very lucky to know him. - Bill "Star" Johnson, Hanover, NH


Growing up with Jim, I, like his many other cousins, knew the boy who was very much the man you all have described. What a great sportsman, how much he believed in sport and people. How much fun it was to visit his family’s softball factory, where his Uncle Fritz and grandfather Fred gave tours. In their time they were regarded with the affection that you today describe for Jim. Being that way was just the only way people in that family did business. I remember the wording that came on each “Clincher” softball box: “It’s a good ball, play it hard.” Isn’t that the enthusiasm Jim brought to everything? - Larry Barnet


The coaching staff, players and management personnel from Simon Fraser University Lacrosse, are saddened to hear of the recent death of Jim Muhlfelder. As the only Debeer sponsored Canadian collegiate field lacrosse team in the USL MDIA, our program has been fortunate to have the support of Jim and Gait/Debeer Lacrosse for the past several years and we are extremely grateful to have them as our major sponsor. Our sympathies are with his wife and family at this difficult time. - SFU


On a Sunday afternoon in April of 1997, my step-father and I sat together watching Tiger Woods blow away the competition at Augusta National to win the Master’s—his first major victory and a victory for aspiring African-American athletes. Of corse I didn’t realize nor appreciate the magnitude of this event until I looked over at Jim and saw tears in his eyes. He said, “What a wonderful moment my boy.” At that point I realized two things. First, that this was truly a magnificent point in American history. Secondly, that Jim, a burly, quick-witted and often larger than life person, was not afraid or embarrassed to show his true self — a sensitive and special human being.

I’ll never forget this man, my step-father. From that point on he was a role model, someone who I respected and appreciated for who he was and what he did for my mother. He showed us what qualities fit the role of a man, husband, father, friend. Because I sat next to him on that April afternoon, I am not embarrassed to be in tears as I write this letter, sitting at my cube at my office. After all I am human, just as Jim was, but somehow I know that he was a little more, simply because he would not hide who he was. - NMC


I sincerely wish to thank each person who has shared a memory about my Dad. The stories are truly remarkable. After the services, our entire immediate family read each entry. There are many names on this page that are so familiar from his stories. He loved this industry. He loved the game, the competition, the camaraderie, and most importantly, the genuine "realness" of all of your relationships with him.

He was so proud of all of you. He was so grateful that you helped him in achieving his dream of deBeer and its future. That future is yours. For truly, all of you are deBeer. It is your loyalty, dedication, and your shared vision that ones word, sincerity, and drive far outweigh mediocre effort. I think of him as I write this, and he would say, "Com'on Ree...don't get too flowery, just bring your point home." And that's what he always did. He spoke and lived with such thought, direction, validity and honesty. The only thing wrong with my Dad is that he was always right. How can one disagree with someone who adamantly believed in the goodness of people; the belief that one ounce of extra effort goes five times further?

I'll never forget a comment that was made during my lacrosse days. "Kait, you can't catch, you can't throw, but boy, you can run like hell." It is the pure effort and will that gets you to the goal; the pure desire to get to that end of the field that measures your spirit. All of you have that spirit--you have taken it so far. Whether on the sideline, or within the lines, I am in awe of your character and virtue.

Thank you for your thoughts. - Kait Muhlfelder


I have read all of these posts a number of times during the past three weeks and they always bring a smile to my face. Such good stories and such kind words. These posts shed some light on a side of my father I knew so well but never well enough. I cannot explain the immense pride I feel for him for touching so many people's lives in such positive ways. His legacy is strong and these posts - the stories, events and memories - will help to keep it and his spirit alive. I wanted to share that I have not seen my father happier than he was during the years of deBeer Lacrosse. He quickly grew to love the sport, the industry and all who were associated with it. He truly loved what he did and this is in large part due to all of you. You're all in good hands with Paul, Darlene, Jenny and the rest of the deBeer crew. Your support for deBeer, my father and our family is truly overwhelming. Thank you. - Josh Muhlfelder


Send your rememberances and memorials here.

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Obituary: James Leo Muhlfelder

SLINGERLANDS James Leo Muhlfelder, age 55, of Slingerlands, N.Y., died suddenly on Tuesday, February 3, 2004. A graduate of the Albany Academy and Dartmouth College, Jim spent a year at the University of Cologne on a Fulbright Fellowship. Before attending the School for Advanced International Studies at John Hopkins University, he began his business career at Cummins Engine in Columbus, Ind. and Jamestown, N.Y. In 1980, Jim returned to the Albany area to join J. deBeer & Son, a family baseball and softball business. Under his leadership, the company expanded to include the making of lacrosse equipment, gaining national and international recognition.

Jim had a great love of life and the outdoors with a passion for fishing. He especially enjoyed his annual trips to northern Canada and fishing with good friends in the Adirondacks. Jim was active in many professional sporting goods organizations and served as the chairman of the baseball/softball committee of the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association. He was also a committee member of the US Lacrosse Organization Industry Council. Jim served the community as president of Equinox and the boards of the Albany Academy and the Jewish Family Services.

A devoted husband and father, Jim is survived by his wife Wendy and their five children, Joshua, Seattle, Wash., Kait, San Francisco, Calif., Julie, Columbia, Md., Nicholas, Washington, DC and Laura, Slingerlands. Also surviving is his mother, Adelaide deBeer Muhlfelder; sister, Mary Harowskin (Tom); and brother, Lewis Muhlfelder (Esther); and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Lewis Muhlfelder.

2/3/04