Obituary of Pearl R. Muhlbaier

Pearl Richards Muhlbaier Pearl was born on April 2, 1919 to Leslie and Emma Richards in Bunker Hill, NJ, now part of Washington Township. She and her younger brother Leslie grew up on a 140-acre farm at Greentree and Egg Harbor Roads. Her parents were farmers and her dad made daily runs to Philly with produce to sell in the summer. There was no electricity until Pearl was nine and Pearl recalled the hated job of cleaning the chimneys of their kerosene lamps. Pearl's educational career had a rocky start as she cried every day as she went off to kindergarten from September to December. Yet eventually she graduated as salutatorian of the Glassboro High School class of 1935 at the age of 16. She attended Glassboro Normal School (now Rowan College) and was part of the first class to graduate with a four year teaching degree rather than the three-year certificate. Her first teaching job was in the one-room Harmony Schoolhouse in Mullica Hill, where she taught a combined kindergarten and first grade. Pearl was a member of the Hurffville Grange where she met her future husband Louis Muhlbaier. In 1942 Lou went away to WWII, but they wrote to each other every day, as evidenced by the thousands of v-mails and letters they left behind. Pearl also wrote a Bunker Hill news column for the (Woodbury?) Times during the war. After the war, Pearl and Lou were married on 12/22/45. Although Pearl was raised as a Presbyterian, she joined her new husband at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Pitman, which they attended when services were being held in the rectory. They bought their first home in Richwood where they lived for 40 years and raised their three daughters. Pearl was active in the Needlework Guild, the Richwood Academy and was a 4-H leader for many years. Pearl and Lou always planned to fund their children's way through college. To this end, Pearl returned to teaching in 1964 and taught first grade at the Harrison Township Elementary School until her retirement in 1975. Pearl and Lou bought a motor home and toured the country joining the Good Sam camping club. She continued her good works volunteering with the Contact Hotline for many years and working one day a week with disabled persons at the St. John of God School. Pearl also started writing "Harrison Happenings" for the Pitman Review in the mid-70s. Pearl and Lou celebrated their 50th anniversary with their daughters' families in 1995. Peal was pre-deceased by her husband Lou who died in 1999. Pearl stayed active as long as possible and served as a census taker in the 2000 census at the age of 81. She continued to live independently with assistance until the end despite mounting health problems. Pearl leaves behind daughters Mary Beth Arkell and husband Robert and son Jason; Jean Dasch and husband Cameron and children Katherine and Matthew; and JoAnn Hunter and children Christine and Kenneth D'Amato. Friends may call from 6 to 8PM Sunday and 10 to 11AM Monday in the KELLEY FUNERAL HOME, 125 Pitman Ave., Pitman, NJ. Funeral services 11AM. Interment private in Manahath Cem. Those desiring may make a contribution to St John of God School, 1145 Delsea Drive, Westville Grove, NJ 08093, or stjohnofgod.org. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.