Steve Matuz

Steve Matuz was a delightful man, quick to use his sense of humor to put others at ease. Throughout his life, he maintained an essence of commitment to family, faith and the joy of life itself. The 1920s were a collage of interesting events. There were power struggles in Russia, Babe Ruth was setting baseball records, and the first Miss America was crowned. For Joseph and Tekla (Flyituta) Matuz, such happenings were nothing more than headlines in a newspaper. Their lives centered around raising their family and earning a living. Joseph and Tekla were immigrants from Austria who came to the U.S. looking for a better life. They settled in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, and were the proud parents of a daughter, Helen. On April 12, 1921, the couple delighted in welcoming the birth of their son, Steve, who completed the Matuz family. At the age of 16, Steve went on a blind date with a young lady named Audrey Hartman, who would one day be his beloved wife. The two dated for four years, during which time Steve graduated from Muskegon Heights High School. They were happily married on September 6, 1941, at the age of 20. Two years after saying I do, Steve received his draft papers from the U.S. Army, and honorably served during World War II in the Northern Solomons, New Guinea and Luzon. In April of 1945, Steve received an honorable discharge with pension. After returning home to his bride, Steve went to work on a car lot for a while before taking a job as a Pattern Maker at Anderson Pattern. He remained a hardworking and loyal employee of Anderson for 33 years before retiring in 1983. In the meantime, Steve and Audrey were blessed with two sons, David and Larry, who filled them with great pride and joy. In later years, they became doting grandparents of seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, all of whom they adored. When it came to his leisure time, Steve enjoyed being outdoors, pursuing two of his favorite pastimes, fishing and golfing. As a couple, Steven and Audrey enjoyed doing some promenading and dosey-doeing at square dances for about 25 years. They were also longtime members of the Samuel Lutheran Church. Steve was a very witty man, and a great joke teller, something that always left people charmed and smiling. He loved sharing his love for life with his family and friends, whether by making them laugh or simply by expressing it in his every day actions. His love, laughter and contagious smile will be missed by all who knew and loved him. On Wednesday, September 26, 2007, Steve died at the University Park Nursing Center at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Audrey; 2 sons: David (Rita) Matuz of Grant, Larry (Dian) Matuz of Muskegon; 7 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and his sister, Helen Mark of Muskegon. Funeral services for Steve will be held on Wednesday, October 3, at 12:00 p.m. at the Clock Chapel at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Muskegon, with Pastor Chris Anderson officiating. Interment at Mona View Cemetery. Friends and relatives may visit with Steves family on Wednesday, 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with Steves family and/or sign his online guest book.