Joe Muha

Traverse City – Joe Muha, a devoted father, Papa, and incredible community leader, passed away peacefully at Munson Hospice House on July 4, 2026, at the age of 93.

Joe was born on July 30, 1932 in Pontiac to the late Wendell and Anna (Hornyak) Muha. A true Leo, Joe claimed a 3 day birthday celebration - the span between his actual home birth occurring on July 27th, and the official record of July 30th when the physician finally arrived. He used both days (and the time in between) as any excuse to carry on celebrations with family and friends.

On December 3, 1955, he married Nancy Clarice McCort in East Lansing, and the two shared 65 wonderful years anchored by family, faith, and dear friends before her passing in 2020.

Joe earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University and was an independent tax consultant from 1959 until 2025 - he loved exercising his mental math skills!

Following his move to Traverse City in 1959, Joe rolled up his sleeves and became involved in many community organizations and efforts that continue to shape the Grand Traverse region. He served 20 years as a GT County Commissioner; was a visionary for the development of the Civic Center and the Open Space, and was instrumental in the development of the Traverse Area District Library system. Joe earned the prestigious Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award, and was President & Treasurer for Scenic Trails Boy Scout Council. He was a long time member of Rotary, served as Chair of Rotary Charities the year they purchased the Park Place Hotel, and was especially proud to be the only father-daughter duo of Past Presidents with his daughter, Beth. He was a member and past Treasurer of the Elks, where he led the efforts to designate Traverse City as a Coast Guard City. Joe established the TC Sister Community with Soviet Republic of Georgia, and hosted exchanges several times. He and Nancy were also devoted members of First Congregational Church, now known as Mission Hill, where he served as a Trustee and Treasurer of the Church Council for many years.

In his free time Joe enjoyed family get togethers, going out to dinner with his good friend John Amos, reading, playing an intense game of cribbage, absolutely crushing the Record Eagle daily puzzle section, and most recently, sharing laughs with The Breakfast Club at Independence Village.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Nancy and his siblings Joseph, Ethel, Olga, and Emma.

Joe will be deeply missed by his children Elizabeth (Dave) Karczewski; William (Susie) Muha; Todd Muha; grandchildren Nan (Pat) Ray; Bill (Ashley) Karczewski, Eric (Khiela) Alpers, Tyler (Kelly) Alpers, Fiona (Ryan) Winslade, and Joe Muha; great grandchildren, Kennen, Juno, Otto, Laina, Louie, Alta, Wey, Addison, Garrett, and Gavin and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his great life will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 2 pm at Mission Hill Church, with visitation beginning one hour prior. Friends are invited to join the family after the service for his favorite desserts of ice cream and cookies in the Garden Room.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be directed to Munson Hospice House.

Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your memories and condolences with his family.

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