Steve R. Muza

Steve R. Muza, 94, passed away on Friday, January 27, 2017, in the comfort of his home. He was born in Struthers on April, 23, 1922, to the late Stephen and Helen (Kucinic) Muza and was a life long resident of the Nebo area.

Steve was a 1940 graduate of Struthers High School and went on to earn his Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Parks Air College, now part of St. Louis University. Following graduation, he was employed as a research engineer in the Flight Engineering Section of NACA, now known as NASA, Lewis Research Center in Cleveland for just over five years.

While working, Steve attended the Cleveland Marshall School of Law and graduated from Youngstown University School of Law in 1950, obtaining a Doctorate Degree in Law and in the same year, passed the Ohio State Bar exam.

He worked in lumber and building supplies, doing pricing and estimate work and in 1955 went into mortgage lending with a mortgage broker. In June 1957, Steve joined the Home Savings and Loan Company and worked in various departments at the home office, then at the Salem and South Side branches. In August of 1959, he opened the Austintown branch as Manager and moved to the Struthers branch as Manager in 1960. In 1976, Steve moved to the Main Office as Vice-President of the new Savings Department which he developed and retired from in 1989.

Steve was a member of the Youngstown Area Chamber of Commerce, Mahoning County Bar Association, past president of Struthers Rotary Club, where he was honored to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow, and was a past member and officer of the Struthers Businessman's Association.

Steve loved polka dancing, travel, camping, wood craft, reading mysteries and solving crossword puzzles. After his retirement, he and his wife spent winters in Tucson, AZ, enjoying the friends and activities at Rincon Country West RV Resort. He and his wife traveled frequently across the world and particularly enjoyed cruises. Of special note, in 1999, Steve walked on the land of his ancestors in Croatia. Steve was a member of Christ our Savior Parish in Struthers and the San Xavier Mission in Tucson, where he was an ecumenical minister and lector.

Steve leaves his wife, the former Jean L. Puharich, whom he married in November of 1950; children, Stephen (Cathie) Muza of Medway, MA, Rich (Sue) Muza of Livingston, MT, and Paula (Mike) Winfield of Roselle, IL; grandchildren, Stephen (Kyle) Muza, Christine (Geoff) Gardiner, Corey Winfield, Jean Muza, Michael Winfield, Cameron Winfield and Peyton Winfield; great-grandchildren, Holden Muza and Eva Gardiner; niece, JoAnne Chuk; and nephews, Charles, Joseph and David Chuk.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Anne Sims, Margaret Chuk and Katherine Muza; and son, Robert Muza.

Steve’s family would like to give a special thank you to the staff of Hampton Woods Rehabilitation and Hospice of the Valley.

A Celebration of Steve's life will be held Monday, July 3, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Christ Our Savior Parish at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Struthers. Jean and her children will receive family and friends Monday from 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM at the church. Davidson-Becker Funeral Home is handling arrangements.