Mueller Hicks Funeral Home & Crematory

04/07/2026

Just a friendly reminder - Tax Day is coming up on April 15th!

04/06/2026

04/05/2026

Thousands of years ago, Jesus Christ conquered sin and death so that we sinners might have life and have it to the full. Happy Easter!

04/03/2026

Funerals have been around from the beginning of time, and at Easter, we focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As you consider his sacrifice, also think about the meaningful rituals that surrounded the care of his body. This article discusses seven funeral rituals from Jesus' time that still exist today and are an important part of how we remember and honor those we love.

Even though we've gained a lot of modern conveniences, some things never change. Check out this article to learn 7 funeral rituals that have lasted ages.

04/03/2026

Good Friday reminds us that Christ suffered so that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

03/28/2026

Rev. Toshio Okamoto

The Reverend Toshio Okamoto was called away to the Lord on March 27, 2026. Beloved husband of the late Dr. Sachiko Kohara Okamoto; loving father of Joel (Ruth) Okamoto, Martha Okamoto, and Rebecca Okamoto; dear father-in-law of the late Todd Peck; and devoted grandfather of Jacob, Peter and Thomas Okamoto and Andrew and Benjamin Peck. Beloved son of the late Konosuke and Eque Okamoto, and dearest brother of the late Fumiko (Buchanan), Takashi, Shigeo, Sumiko (Sugino) and Mariko (Tomiyama). Loving uncle to his nieces and nephews. And “Pastor” to the countless he served.

Rev. Okamoto leaves an enduring legacy as an ordained minister in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). He felt led to serve the Lord from age five and dedicated his life to bringing the Good News to those he touched. He inspired many to follow in his footsteps.

Rev. Okamoto started his ministry as pastor at the LCMS’s first mission church for Japanese Americans in Los Angeles. He then served for 35 years across the Michigan District as a pastor, mentor, circuit counselor and vice president. After retiring from congregational ministry, he continued to serve others as a mediator, teacher and visiting preacher.

While Rev. Okamoto was known for his preaching, teaching, and leadership, he also loved to make the church an inviting place for people to belong. He hosted Shrove Tuesday dinners, featuring his secret-recipe pancakes; served as a karate instructor; started a Stephen Ministry to provide spiritual care and support; and called his congregation to worship through music.

Visitation will be at Mueller Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road, Mason, OH 45040 on March 30, 2026, from 5-8 PM. The funeral service will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1285 Main Street, Hamilton, OH 45013 on March 31, 2026, at 11 AM. He will be buried in a private interment.

Memorials may be directed to Concordia Seminary for the Toshio and Sachiko Okamoto Endowment (Address: Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105).

View Rev. Toshio Okamoto's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/28/2026

Richard D. Hellmer

Richard D. Hellmer, 92, of West Chester, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the University of Cincinnati Hospital, with family by his side. A gentleman in every sense—and truly a gentle man—Richard will be remembered for his kindness, steady presence, and deep devotion to those he loved.

In the months leading up to his passing, Richard had been recovering at Chesterwood Advanced Therapy following a fall at home. During that time, his children and stepchildren, traveling from Colorado, Texas, Florida, Buffalo, and Mason, Ohio, created a remarkable circle of care—each taking turns spending a week at his side. For more than four months, they ensured he was never alone, surrounding him with love, companionship, and support.

Richard was born on December 1, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan, to Charles B. Hellmer and Irene Lang Hellmer. He graduated with honors in 1951 from Holy Redeemer High School, where he distinguished himself as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. His love of sports remained a constant throughout his life—as a player in his younger years and as a passionate fan of the University of Michigan and the Detroit Tigers, often enjoying games alongside his one specially prepared perfect vodka martini.

Following graduation, Richard proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for four years, primarily stationed in Japan and Korea, where he also played baseball on his traveling base team. After his honorable discharge in 1956, he began a long and successful career with JCPenney, starting as a management trainee and advancing through stores across Michigan and Ohio.

On July 4, 1976, Richard arrived in Olean, New York, to take on the role of manager of the downtown JCPenney store, helping lead the transition to a new and expanded location. Over the next 17 years, he earned the company’s Chairman’s Reward of Excellence multiple times, a testament to his leadership and the strength of his team.

Richard was deeply committed to his community. He joined the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce in 1976, became a member of its Board of Directors in 1980, and served as president in 1983 and 1984. He also served as president of the United Way of Cattaraugus County during the 1980s. Even in retirement, his dedication to service continued. In 1994, he was named Top Volunteer of the Year for his leadership in the Chamber’s reaccreditation efforts with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Retirement brought Richard many joys. He attended the Detroit Tigers Fantasy Baseball Camp in 1995 and 1997, relishing the chance to once again take the field. In 2005, Richard and his beloved wife Nancy sold their home in Allegany, New York, and moved to Palm Coast, Florida, settling in the Grand Haven community. There, they shared a passion for collecting and selling books online—a hobby that brought them both fulfillment and enjoyment. In 2022, they moved to Ohio to be closer to family.

Richard is survived by his adoring wife of 35 years, Nancy Cashimere Walsh; his sister, Joan Hengy of Monroe, Michigan; his children: Vicki Hellmer (Joe Phillips), Tracy LeFebre (Mike), and Cindy Kirk (Scott), all of Colorado; Debbie Hellmer of Canada; Jeff Hellmer of Texas; and Christine Hellmer (Brian Woodstock) of Florida; his stepchildren, Courtney Walsh of Buffalo and Meghan Heister (Joseph) of Mason, Ohio; 15 cherished grandchildren—Sam LeFebre, Maria Barkmeier, Jack Kirk, Hannah Kirk, Nathaniel Kalil, Jessica Kalil, Katlyn Hellmer, Michael Hellmer, Ashley Alain, Nicholas Hellmer, Emilee Russell, Christopher Russell, Maddie Heister, Daniel Heister, and Sophia Heister; and 7 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Irene Hellmer; his brother, Robert “Bob” Hellmer; and his sister, Patricia “Pat” Szabla.

Richard’s life was defined by quiet strength, generosity, and an unwavering love for his family. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, integrity, and service that will continue to inspire all who knew him.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Bonaventure Parish in Allegany, New York, at 10:00 a.m. on May 30, 2026. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice in Richard’s honor.

View Richard D. Hellmer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/27/2026

Getting your affairs in order may feel a little overwhelming, but it's an excellent way to make the future easier on your children and heirs. To make the process simpler, check out these 5 steps to getting your affairs in order and start today!

If you are interested in getting your affairs in order, take a moment to review these tips for getting started on the process.

03/27/2026

Terry Lee Flinchum

Born on December 27, 1953, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Terry was a lifelong resident of the area. He graduated from Western Hills High School in 1972, laying the foundation for a life marked by hard work and commitment to his community and family. Alongside his brother Ron, Terry owned and ran Baron Builders in West Chester, Ohio, where they built many single-family homes, contributing significantly to the growth and character of the West Chester area. One of Terry’s proudest accomplishments was building his family home there in 1988, a milestone nearly rivaled only by his pride in his daughter.

Terry was known for his strong-willed nature and unwavering love for his family. He never missed an opportunity to enjoy a sweet treat and was famous among loved ones for never turning down candy. His hobbies included tinkering in his woodshop, where he would spend countless hours crafting and creating. He also cherished conversations with his buddies, those spirited exchanges where they would gather to solve the world’s problems. Terry had a keen eye for a good bargain and delighted in securing a great deal, always passing on his wisdom and keen sense of value.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Karen (nee McMillan) Flinchum, who shared his life and love; his daughter Megan (Robert), a source of immense pride and joy; and his siblings Ron (Linda) Blevins and Jeff Flinchum. His family circle also includes his cherished granddogs, Kimchi and Mooshu, and many other loving family members and friends, including his best friend Steve Herring, who stood by him through thick and thin.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Beatrice (nee Yazell) Flinchum, and his siblings Don Blevins, Connie Kidd (nee Blevins), Boyd Blevins and Kem Flinchum. They remain fondly remembered and forever in his heart.

Visitation will be held on April 3, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Rd., Mason, Ohio 45040 [google.com]. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Mueller Funeral Home.

Terry’s life reflected a deep devotion to his family, his craft, and his community. He leaves behind a legacy of integrity, kindness, and a lively, larger‑than‑life spirit that will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by everyone who had the pleasure (or challenge) of knowing him.

View Terry Lee Flinchum's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/26/2026

George E. Hulsizer

LIVE STREAM GEORGE HULSIZER SERVICE HERE

George Ellison Hulsizer, age 86 of Bonita Springs, FL and West Chester, OH passed away at home on Thursday, March 12, 2026 in Florida. He was born on July 10, 1939 in Plainfield, NJ to Sidney and Hazel Hulsizer of Fanwood, NJ.

George attended Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, where he met and married Beverly Schuyler on May 4, 1963. Upon his graduation with a degree in Industrial Engineering, he was promptly drafted into the United States Army and assigned to Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. His lifelong interest in mathematics supported his work in ordnance and vehicle testing at the installation. George and Beverly welcomed their first daughter, Amy, while he completed his military service. His first civilian job brought him back to the East Coast, where their second daughter, Beth, was born in Dover, Delaware.

George and Beverly enjoyed a 45-year marriage which was cut short after her sudden death in July 2008. He was blessed to find a wonderful partner in Robin Turner in the years that followed, and they were married in February 2011. George and Robin enjoyed 15 joyful years of marriage before his death.

George was an avid golfer but was frequently dissatisfied with his performance on the course. He did, however, have 2 holes-in-one . . . one when he was playing by himself and another one that was witnessed. George was also a Philadelphia Eagles fan and was delighted by their Super Bowl victories in 2018 and 2025.

George had a lovely bass voice, singing around the house as well as in church choirs and ensembles at Landmark Baptist Temple and Tri-County Baptist Church. He possessed an extraordinary memory for seemingly useless information, a talent that made him a standout in any trivia contest. He valued and maintained his friendships with couples he met during his days in the Army in the early 1960s and those with which he crossed paths.

George read his Bible every day and faithfully completed an annual cover‑to‑cover reading starting in 1976. He loves his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and is now worshipping Him in heaven.

George Hulsizer is survived by his wife, Robin Hulsizer (nee Turner), daughters Amy Fernandez (Herb) and Beth Kincaid (Jim), brothers Jerry Hulsizer and Jon Hulsizer (Michelle). He was especially proud of his many grandchildren: Emma Kincaid, Isaac Emery, Ethan Emery (Hayley), Daniel Fernandez, Nick Fernandez (Avigail), David Fernandez, Erin Kincaid, and Claire Kincaid.

He was preceded in death by his wife Beverly Hulsizer (nee Schuyler) and his parents Sid and Hazel Hulsizer.

A funeral and celebration of life service will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Mueller Funeral Home at 6791 Tylersville Road, Mason, OH. Visitation is planned from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the celebration of life at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at West Chester Brookside Cemetery.

View George E. Hulsizer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/25/2026

Beula Josephine "Jo" Dugan

Beula Josephine (Jo) Dugan, 90, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away on March 17, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, devotion, and cherished family memories. Her life was centered around family, and she found great joy in watching her family grow across generations and appreciated every moment spent with them.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Frank Dugan Sr., her daughter, Mary Jo Ashcraft, and her grandson, Joe Gaffin. She is survived by her loving children Frank Dugan Jr., Rita Gaffin, Matt Dugan, and Charles (Elizabeth) Dugan; her grandchildren, Craig Dugan, Jason Ashcraft, Brandy Barrett, Marty Davidson, Brian Gaffin, and Jack and Kate Dugan; and her great grandchildren, Kara Dugan, Sean and Abrey Ashcraft and Quincy, Sydney, Aubrey and Divinity Barrett, all of whom brought her immense pride and joy. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

Friends may visit from 10:00 am until time of Service at 12:00 pm Monday, March 30, at Mueller Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road, Mason, OH 45040. To send a condolence, visit muellerfunerals.com 513-398-9100.

View Beula Josephine "Jo" Dugan's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.