Joel Gilbert Muse, 71, of Clarksville, Tenn., died Friday, April 8, 2005, at Gateway Medical Center.

He was born on Dec. 2, 1933, in Clarkton, Mo., the son of the late Edward Gilbert Muse and Emma Morrisett Muse.

Mr. Muse was a retired major in the U.S. Air Force, a veteran of the Vietnam War and a Baptist.

Survivors include his wife, Sylvia Muse of Clarksville, Tenn.; two sons, Mark Muse of Chesapeake, Va., and Joey Muse of Destin, Fla.; two daughters, Stephanie Gregory and Rhonda Gonzales, both of Pensacola, Fla.; five step-daughters, Jackie Kelly, Tere Arambatzis and Carmen Grissom, all of Clarksville, Elizabeth Doll of Nashville, and Elisa Graham of Smyrna, Tenn.; a brother, Jerry Muse of Piggott; two sisters, Jean Scanella and Margaret Muse, both of Piggott; and 15 grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at First Baptist Church on Wednesday, April 13, 2005. The remains were cremated. Following the service, his remains were scattered at the Piggott Cemetery in the family plot. A memorial service was also held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2005, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home of Clarksville, Tenn., was in charge of the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association of Middle Tennessee, 1818 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203 or the American Lung Association of Tennessee, 1 Vantage Way, Nashville, TN 37228.