Mueller family operated Tampa business for 66 years years ago
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Cardie Oil, Inc., Tampa, was purchased Sept. 15 by Shawmar Oil & Gas Co. in Marion.
For 66 years, the company was owned and operated by the family of G.G. and Ruth Mueller.
The company's name is from G.G.'s nickname, "Cardie."
G.G. was employed for 17 years as a tankwagon agent and marketing representative for Standard Oil Co. in the Tampa, Herington, and Ellsworth areas.
The Muellers began doing business as Cardie Oil Co. in October 1939 in Tampa after moving from Ellsworth. They started marketing Skelly products.
When Cardie died in December 1951 at the age of 50, Ruth became owner-operator of the company with full-time help from sons Norman and Earl. She occasionally assisted customers when the brothers were out delivering fuel.
Except for Norman's two tours of duty with the Marine Corps and Earl's two years of service in the Army, they were fully involved in the business until it was sold.
Norman was 18 in 1943 when he joined the Marines. Earl, 11, stepped up to fill the void in the business left by Norman's departure. A sister, Leora, was seven years old. Paul was born two years later.
In the early years of the business, five-gallon buckets were used to transfer fuel from the tank wagon to the customers' storage tanks. Norman said it was in 1943 when they acquired the first truck with a pump.
Cardie Oil Co. changed suppliers and began marketing Mobil products in 1962. The Muellers expanded their operation to include retail outlets in the Herington area. They also began the propane business at Tampa.
Brother Paul became involved in the business in 1968 after three years in the Army.
Cardie Oil Co. was incorporated in 1971 as Cardie Oil, Inc., with Earl Mueller as president, Ruth Mueller, vice president, Norman Mueller, secretary, and Paul Mueller, treasurer.
Ruth died in 1980 at age 78.
After Mobil discontinued the operation of its Augusta refinery in 1983, Cardie Oil became a branded marketer of Conoco products.
Cardie Oil was involved in the operation of 26 or more motor fuel outlets during its 66 years. They sold the last four retail locations in 1996.
Cardie Oil delivers gasoline, diesel fuel, and lubricants over a 100-mile radius of Tampa with tank wagon and transport. It has bulk propane storage at Tampa, Herington, and Marion, and delivers propane in an 11-county area.
When the company was sold in September to Shawmar, the three Mueller brothers were retained as consultants. Paul also remained as a full-time employee along with all other former Cardie Oil employees.
The three brothers and their wives continue to live in the area: Norman in Canada, Earl in Marion, and Paul in Herington.
