Joseph J. "Joe" Alex's Obituary
Joseph “Joe” John Alex, born to John and Cecilia (Mastee) on September 24, 1941. Joe was born, raised and died in the same house on 8th Street in Muskegon Heights next door to the family business, Alex Appliance. He worked there all his life until he retired in 2007 with his dad, John and uncle, Steve Alex. After they passed, he was partners with his cousin, Chris Alex. Joe graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1960 and continued his education at Ferris College. Joe was and outdoorsman always at the family cabin in Manistee, MI. Joe and his cousin and hunting partner Tony Suchon were always together fishing in Ohio on his uncle, Joe and aunt, Barb Zeminki’s charter boat, All Season’s. They moose hunted in Beardmore, Ontario, turkey hunted, mushroom picked, ice fished and small game hunted up North. They fished all around the Michigan area on their old boat, Buzz Megg then on the Lund. Joe always had a garden in the backyard and did a lot of canning. When he was feeling fine, he and Tony would go up North to the casino. The last two years, he sat in his recliner watching football and eating peanuts with Pepper in his lap.
Joe had two brothers and one sister, John (Joy) Alex of Sandlake, the late Steve Alex and his wife, Marge Alex on 9th Street in the Heights, sister, Beverly Bice and the late Jerry Bice and son, Brian, stepbrothers, Bill Birr and late wife, Mary of North Muskegon and Jerry (Donna) Birr of Scottville, MI and all the Mastee cousin’s. He leaves behind his aunt, Barb Zeminki in Ohio and her family; Sue (Matt) Bitters and Maryann Powers, BJ and Mike Rhuland, Nancy (John) Barron, and cousin, Joe Belgrin in North Pole, Alaska and his entire family; sister-in-law, Rose Janowicz and her family; Chris and Lisa Alex next door on 8th Street in the Heights; and the neighbors up North, Jim (Sue) Snider; and his good buddies, the late Phil Lemmer and Marvin and Jim Sprader, Dan Shunta, Tom and Jim Naperala, Gary (Ellyn) Matthews and John Boy, and his little girl, Pepper, step-sons, Tom Balas; and the late, Michael Balas.
Thank you guys for all the phone calls, visits and trying to keep his spirits up. Last but not least, wife, Mary Jo who stayed home over the years and took care of business at home, so Joe could have, and did a life well lived.
“P.S. My Turn”
No funeral will be held because his cremated remains will be taken to the cabin up North to be with his uncle, Paul Alex and his brother, Steve Alex.
What’s your fondest memory of Joseph?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joseph?
Share a story where Joseph's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joseph you’ll never forget.
How did Joseph make you smile?

