Mary Jo Mueller (Wellinski) passed away peacefully on March 5th, 2026 at the age of 89. Mary Jo was born on November 24th, 1936 in Rolling Prairie, Indiana, to the late Martin and Gertrude Wellinski.

Mary Jo grew up in a family with eight children and had very minimal financial resources. Thus, it was a point of pride that she attended Purdue University, graduating in 1959 with a degree in Education. During one of her college summers, Mary Jo ventured out from the confines of small-town Indiana to work at Yellowstone Park.

Purdue University was significant in more ways than one, as Mary Jo fell in love with a Boilermaker named Clay, who she met in 1957. After dating a couple of years, Mary Jo married Clay on August 22nd, 1959 in LaPorte, Indiana. Thus began a sacramental marriage that lasted for 57 years until Clay's passing in 2016. Anyone who saw them dancing knew that they belonged together. The marriage was filled with three children, love, adventure, and laughter.

Mary Jo began her teaching career in Delphi, Indiana in 1959 while waiting for Clay to graduate. Then she left the comfort of Indiana in 1960 to venture to Lansing, Michigan. She was a reliable substitute teacher during the years her children were growing, ultimately working as a 5th grade teacher at St. Gerard and St. Casimir for 8 years. Mary Jo also worked as a substitute teacher in Elk Rapids Schools between 1995-2014 and as a reading specialist in the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools from 2016-2022. Mary Jo was passionate about education. She loved to read and was always teaching her grandchildren by using vintage worksheets and challenging puzzles.

Mary Jo was passionate about her family and loved her husband, her three sons, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. During her early retirement years, Mary Jo enjoyed memorable times with her family on Elk Lake, along with exciting trips to beautiful locations around the world with Clay. Mary Jo loved playing bridge in her younger days and was always happy to join Clay in a dance. She was a garage sale afficionado and held gingko leaves in high esteem.

Mary Jo was an active parishioner at both St. Casimir and St. Gerard (Lansing, MI), Sacred Heart (Elk Rapids, MI), and St. Francis of Assisi (Traverse City, MI). She appreciated the beauty and mystery of her Catholic faith.

Mary Jo is survived by her three sons, Mark (Diane) Mueller of Canton, MI; Mike (Molly) Mueller of Rochester Hills, MI; and Wayne (Heidi) Mueller of Traverse City, MI; her grandchildren Brad, Paul, Ben, Owen, Jack, Josh and Lauren; her great-grandchildren Jonathon, Abigail, James, and Aquila; her brother, Jim (Rosemary) Wells.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Clay; her grandchildren, Katie and Eli; her parents; her sisters and brothers, Angelina Baud, Margaret Boyce, Phyllis Kratz, Norma Wellnicki, David Wellinski and Joseph Wellinski.

The family extends a deep note of appreciation to the staff at Boardman Lake Glens, Hospice of Michigan, and many friends and neighbors who have given Mary Jo such beautiful and loving attention during the last few years.

Mary Jo consistently prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, so it is very fitting that her funeral Mass will be celebrated on a Friday in Lent. Come pray for Mary Jo at the Mass and then stay for a traditional Friday fish luncheon hosted by the Knights of Columbus.

Visitation will take place at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Thursday, March 12th, from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm, with eulogies and a Rosary at 6:30 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, March 13th, at 12:15 pm, with visitation prior to Mass starting at 11:00 am at Christ the King Church in Acme. Following the Mass and fish luncheon, burial will take place at Oakwood Catholic Diocesan Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers and for those that wish to express their condolences, please consider a memorial contribution to the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, as this would honor Mary Jo's great love for education.