Father Joseph Andrew Muha

Boise - FATHER JOSEPH ANDREW MUHA, Roman Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Boise, died Friday, March 1, 2024 in Boise.

Father Muha was born July 15, 1934, the second of four sons of Andrew F. Muha and Susan C. Yamnicky, at Homestead, Pennsylvania. The grandson of four immigrants from Slovakia, he and his three siblings were reared in Homestead and grew up in the parish of St. Michael the Archangel, where they all attended the parish school, first through eighth grades. After his mother's death when Father was 9, his uncle and aunt Thomas and Helen Brown and their 4 children moved into the family home, and the two families were raised together.

Father attended the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio, for high school, college, and graduate theology. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Boise on May 21, 1960, by the Apostolic Delegate, Egidio Cardinal Vagnozzi, at the Josephinum.

Through the next forty-four years Father was in active ministry throughout Idaho. He served in the following parishes: Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Boise; Holy Rosary, Idaho Falls; Sacred Heart, Boise; Assumption, Ferdinand; St. Mary's, Soda Springs; St. Theresa's, Burley; St. Anthony's, Pocatello; San Juan Bautista, Cali, Colombia; St. Agnes, Weiser; St. Mary's, Cottonwood; and Holy Spirit, Pocatello. He also worked with the Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts, Engaged Encounter, Marriage Encounter, and the Cursillo Movement. Father retired from active ministry in 2004, and since then, had resided in Boise and assisted parishes as requested.

Father's favorite hobbies were swimming, photography, and traveling. He was an award-winning amateur photographer. Liking to travel since a child, Father visited all seven continents and seventy-six countries. Since his retirement, he also served as a chaplain on some thirty-three cruises.

He is survived by his brother, James and sister-in-law, Catherine (South Park PA), and, and his cousins John (Jack), Carol and Arla. He has ten nieces and nephews and eighteen great-nieces and nephews. Father is also survived by many other cousins, many friends, and his brother priests of the Diocese of Boise.

A big "Thank You" goes to Cornerstone Senior Living and Keystone Hospice for the loving care they have given Father Joe through the last year.

Father often thought of having on his tombstone the epitaph, He had a great time on Planet Earth.

Funeral arrangements are with Accent Funeral Home, Meridian. Services will be at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Vesper service will be held at 7 PM on Tuesday, March 12th. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, March 13th with Bishop Peter Christensen as celebrant. Burial follows at Morris Hill Cemetery, Catholic clergy section. Everyone is welcome for any of these services. Remembrances may be left at www.AccentFuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Father Muha's name to the Clergy Retirement Fund, Diocese of Boise or the Pontifical College Josephinum, 7625 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43235.

"I thank you all who touched my life". Father Joseph Muha