Arthur D. Mutter

Arthur Donald Mutter Jr, age 87, died peacefully in his sleep at the Fitzsimmons Veterans Home in Aurora, Colorado on September 2, 2007. Arthur was born on December 18, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois to Arthur Donald Mutter Senior, and Augusta "Gussie" Peterson. Arthur Senior was a Chicago police officer, killed in the line of duty in 1933 while apprehending a robber. Arthur Jr was the beloved husband of Angela Mutter for 60 years, and has left a legacy of family and friends richer for having known him.

Arthur was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Army as a private first class in F Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment "The Queens Own", 7th Infantry Division. His military career included service on four beach heads:
• Attu in Alaska in August 1943, 1481 American died in battle and 2500 were wounded
• Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands in January 1944, 372 Americans died and 1592 were wounded
• Leyte in the Philippines in October 1944, 3500 Americans died and 12,000 were wounded
• Okinawa in Japan in April 1945. This battle lasted over three months and saw 12,000 Americans die and 38,916 wounded.

In his room at Fitzsimmons hung a citation from the Governor of Alaska thanking Arthur on behalf of the people of Alaska for his service in the Aleutian Islands Campaign. He earned a number of ribbons and medals for his service, including a Philippine Liberation ribbon and a bronze star. He was proud to have served his country during World War II and often spoke of his service of four years, ten months, and nineteen days. He proudly wore a WWII Veteran's cap with his military ribbons on it. He attended several reunions with his unit and told many stories of his service.

Arthur spent the bulk of his life in Chicago. In addition to being born and raised there, he married Angela McClaughry Mutter there on December 18, 1946. Arthur and Angela raised five children in Chicago and lived there until 1973 when they moved to Niles, Illinois. Arthur was a warehouse manager for Lift Parts Manufacturing, from which he retired in 1984. He cheered for the Chicago Bears, the White Sox and the Chicago Cubs wherever he lived during the rest of his life. Arthur and Angela moved to Casselberry, Florida in 1984, where Arthur drove part-time for Avis Rental cars. They then made Colorado their home in the 1990s, living in Grand Junction, Clifton, and most recently Aurora. Just days after moving to Aurora last December, Arthur and Angela celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and Arthur's 87th birthday.

Throughout his life, family was very important to Arthur. He cheered them on, reveled in their accomplishments, and sought their company. He was the proud patriarch of five generations. Earlier in his life, he enjoyed playing football, traveling, camping, bowling, pinochle, genealogy research and fishing. More recently, he enjoyed computers, tinkering with anything mechanical, and rooting for the Bears.

Art was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Edgar, Charles and William; his son Arthur III and his daughter Barbara Young. He is survived by his wife, Angela Mutter, of Aurora;CO, his daughter Mildred (Robert) Heitman of Durham, NC; his son David (Consuelo) of Oaklawn, IL; his daughter Joan (ex. David) Hamm of Aurora, CO; his younger sister Georgette Essery of Grand Forks, ND; his sister-in-law Dorothy Smith of Winter Park, Florida; 9 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends. His family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at Fitzsimmons for the wonderful care Arthur received during his time there.

A memorial mass will be said on Tuesday, September 11 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Pius X church in Aurora, Colorado, followed by a graveside military burial at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado. Condolences may be sent to Angela Mutter, c/o Fitzsimmons Veterans Home, 1919 Quentin Street, Aurora, CO 80010.