Carl D. Mittelhauser

Carl Donald Mittelhauser was blessed to be able to join his Lord on July 17, 2024. His loving wife, Crystal, was by his side when he passed in Cocoa, FL at their home. Carl was born August 25, 1944 in Sedalia, MO to Ruth and Maynard Mittelhauser. He was a middle child with Mary Ruth Combs (Ray), both deceased, being his older sister. His younger sister is Donna Ray, (Jerry, deceased), now from Ballwin, MO.

Carl went to Brown School, a two-room schoolhouse, west of Sedalia his first eight years of schooling. He then went to Smith-Cotton High School, graduating in the class of 1962. He has many lifelong friends from that class as well as from Brown School. During high school, Carl worked with his dad on the family dairy farm, for surrounding farmers and for Tullis Dairy. He wanted to stay on the farm, but his dad told him he had to leave because there was not enough land or income to support two families. After graduation, Carl left to go to college in Colorado. While there he was recruited by the Union Pacific Railroad. He worked for them as a dispatcher and telegraph operator until he went into the Army. While in the Army Carl’s primary duty station was Phu Bai, Vietnam. His contact with Agent Orange while in Vietnam ultimately led to his having diabetes and Parkinson’s. Upon returning from Vietnam, Carl taught beginning flying for the Air Force, teaching basic flying skills to see if the recruits were acceptable for further training. He was then approached by an FAA person suggesting he apply for air traffic controller school. Carl ultimately worked for the FAA for 33 years, having lived in numerous locations in the US. When his parents passed he bought the family farm from his two sisters and lived there for 20 years. When his Parkinson’s made it difficult to care for the farm he and Crystal moved full time to Cocoa, FL. Their daughter and son-in-law bought the house and five acres, keeping the farm in the family for a 3rd generation. 

In 1981, he met the love of his life, Crystal Wright Hoelscher. They met on a canoe trip and married three months later, combining their four children that they were each raising. The children ranged from seven years to eleven years old at that time. They often said that they forgot whose children belonged to whom, except for the last names. 

Carl and Crystal both loved to travel. They visited every state in the United States, many of those on their Harley. They ultimately touched every continent except Antarctica. Several of those trips were Mission trips, for which they had a passion. One of the most exciting was Tibet, or would that be Russia or Egypt, China or Australia, well one of those locations, all were wonderful teaching Carl and Crystal much about other cultures and reinforcing their love for our great United States and our freedoms. They also for several years helped with the junior and senior high students at Parkview Christian Church. Many of those students are still in touch with them even now. Carl served as both a deacon and an Elder while at Parkview. Carl and Crystal for many years were volunteer courtesy cart drivers at the Missouri State Fair. They loved the fair and mostly the people they could assist. It only seemed fitting for Carl to end his volunteering at the State Fair, since he started there while in high school. 

In addition to his wife, Crystal, he is survived by four children, Richard Hoelscher (Tia), of Indian Harbour Beach, FL, Jennifer Mittelhauser (Aaron Thomas), of Sedalia, Rory Hoelscher, of Boonville, and Donald Mittelhauser (Melissa), of The Woodlands, TX; eight grandchildren, Alyssa Whitten (George), Coral Hoelscher, Khayman Hoelscher, Julian Hoelscher (Clare), Gavin Hoelscher, Marin Hoelscher, Anna Tarasiewiz, and Alina Tarasiewiz; three great-grandchildren, Calvin, Elleanor, and Isabelle; a sister, Donna Ray; his only aunt, Colleen Mittelhauser; three very special nieces, Kassandra Carle (Clifton), Kristeena Stevens (Aaron), and Carla Curry (Bill); and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

There are also friends who have been friends for decades and have helped make the tough Parkinson’s years easier for Carl and Crystal: Steve and Jan Henson, Jim and Donna White, all of Sedalia, Rich and Bev Meyerpeter of Osage Beach, MO, Bob and Linda Buckles, St. Peters, MO, Dave and Sue Chaffee, of Olathe, KS, and Larry Brooks, of Sedalia, MO. Carl is survived by many wonderful cousins on both sides of his family and Crystal’s family. I wish we could list all the people who have been with us on this journey. Just because we did not list you, does not mean we did not appreciate and recognize your love, support and most importantly, your prayers. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Ruth Combs.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Heckart Funeral Home, 903 S. Ohio Ave., Sedalia, MO.

Memorial services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, August 26, 2024, at Parkview Christian Church, 1405 E. 16th St., Sedalia, MO, with the Rev. Rodney Brown officiating. 

THE FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE LIVE STREAMED ON PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH'S YOUTUBE PAGE.

Committal services will follow at 12 noon Monday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, 20109 Business Hwy. 13, Higginsville, MO. Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Army, VFW Post 2591, and the State Fair Patriot Guard Riders.

Memorials can be made to Parkview Christian Church or the Missouri State Fair Foundation, in care of Heckart Funeral Home.