Joseph James Serbus

There is no celebration in the world quite like that of the Big House on a Saturday afternoon... the frenzied crowd cheering on the mighty Wolverines, the victorious shout of "Go Blue!", the band blasting out "Hail to the Victors!"... an experience that you cannot possibly capture in words. And every Saturday afternoon for over three decades, there was Joseph "Joe" Serbus, seated in row 12, enjoying the great American game of football. He was far from a casual spectator... memorizing every play that he would later retell in vivid detail and providing on-the-spot analysis to nearby fellow season-ticket holders. He was fondly known as "Coach" by his Big House buddies seated behind row 12.
Joe's life story began in Owosso, Michigan on January 17, 1943, as the only son of Joseph and Lidia (Nouzak) Serbus. His father journeyed from Czechoslovakia at age two with his own parents James and Anna Serbus, making their home in the New Lothrop area and growing their family into a loving Serbus clan. Joe grew up on a rural farm in New Lothrop surrounded by the love and support of his Serbus aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He graduated from New Lothrop High School in 1961, and attended Mott Community College for over a year with the intention of pursuing an engineering career. At that time, General Motors offered a stable and secure job, and he entered employment on the assembly line in the heart of automotive manufacturing. He married Gayle Steadman on April 3, 1965. They welcomed their first-born daughter in December of that year, and within several years added three sons to their family.
Joe provided faithfully for his home and family in New Lothrop after becoming a Journeyman Electrician at Buick Motor Division. He continued his career as an electrician until retiring after 42 years of employment for Buick in the fall of 2006. Despite working a full time job, Joe managed to teach himself the skills of home construction with the coaching of a Buick co-worker, and built his first home on Henderson Road in New Lothrop on the banks of the Mistequay Creek. He became a jack-of-all trades, but was best known for his artistry and craftsmanship in woodworking, creating an oak dining room table, oak french doors, and oak trim for an entire home to name a few of his projects.
Joe was a "hands-on" Dad before his time, and was a constant presence in family life. He was involved for many years in the Indian Guides program with his sons, going on camping outings, fishing derbies, and model car racing. He was his children's taxi for untold round-trips to Owosso for dance lessons and unending club and sports practices and competitions at New Lothrop High School without a complaint. Through all of this, he made time for his passion for fishing... in his little fishing boat at midnight on the Saginaw Bay, casting on the banks of the Shiawassee River, or on the forbidding expanse of a frozen mid-Michigan lake. And he made certain that his family was able to enjoy the iconic "Great American Road Trip"...traveling to destinations such as Cedar Point, King's Island, northern Michigan, the East Coast, and Florida.
After enjoying some retirement years on Wixom Lake in Hope, Michigan, Joe returned to the Flushing area where he resided until his passing quietly and peacefully on a gorgeous sunny mid-winter morning, January 30. Joe is survived by his children Erick (Gwen), Brent (Lisa), Bradley (Shelley) and Joda Dailey (Kevin). He was blessed with four grandchildren: Lillie, Lauren, Sophia, Alaina Anderson (Kenny), and Jason Krupp (Hannah) and three great-grandsons: Jeremiah Krupp, Axle Anderson, and Jax Anderson. He also leaves behind best friends Ed and Donna Sovis and special cousins Jeanie Burtch and Donna Kviz. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Gayle, his parents Lidia Nouzak and Joseph Serbus (Ann) and his parents-in -law Dixie and John Steadman.
A Life Celebration will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. at Atlas Valley Golf Club, 8313 Perry Road, Goodrich, Michigan. Join us for a short reflection, tailgate-worthy food, friends/family meet & greet, and live music. Be sure to wear your favorite college apparel/colors in honor of Joe's love of college football! Jeans welcome.. Memorial donations in Joe's name are suggested to the charity of your choice. To recognize Joe's love for animals, a donation would be welcome to the Genesee County Humane Society or to the Genesee County Animal Shelter.