Gladstone, MI
Ronald Muse, age 71, of Gladstone passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2013 at his home, with his family by his side, following a lengthy illness.
Ron was born January 21, 1942 in New Castle, Indiana to James “Hiram” and Thelma (Ratliff) Muse. The family moved to Michigan in 1952. During his adolescent and teenage years Ron fostered a love of music. He played the trombone in the band and had a singing voice to be envied. He was a member of a male quartet in high school which auditioned and was accepted to perform on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour. He was also a talented harmonica player. He was old time gospel and classic country music through and through. He instilled his love of music in his children and grandchildren as well. He also enjoyed playing sports in his younger years with a real passion for baseball. In 1960 he attended the Detroit Tigers open tryout. He was called back for a second appearance but at the same time he was offered a job with VanEss Construction Company, later known as Sub-Surface Underground Construction Company, and decided to take the job instead of attending the call back. This was the start of a lifelong career in underground gas work and fiber optics. He was especially proud that he was able to be a mainline pipeline inspector for a few years later in life until chemotherapy brought him back home to work locally again.
Ron enjoyed the outdoors more than most. He was outside from sun-up to sun-down. He loved being in his garden and taking a bite out of that first vine ripe tomato. He grew loads of pumpkins for the grandchildren and to feed his backyard influx of deer. He was an avid snowmobiler and could take you anywhere in the U.P. via trail. He was an animal lover through and through. His dog, Daisy, and he would ride for hours on the Side-by-Side. Daisy went to work with Ron every day riding shotgun and guarding the truck when he was away. Ron enjoyed being on the lake fishing, frozen or open water, and loved a good fish fry often. He loved morrell mushroom picking, BlackBerry and June berry picking, taking Sunday drives on back roads and exploring small lakes and trails. Ron enjoyed an occasional dinner at the casino and doing a little gambling. He and Lois loved taking their annual camping trip to Munising with good fiends Ed and Val. Ron had a vast number of friends that he made across the country during his work travels. These friends meant so much to him and many of them stayed in contact with him for the duration of his illness.
Ron is going to be sadly and painfully missed and lovingly remembered by everyone who knew him.
Ron is survived by his wife, Lois of Gladstone; his children, Carrie (Brett) Muse-Mead of Gladstone, Misse Muse of Fremont, IN, Kim Heffelfinger of Angola, IN, Marty (Barb) Muse of Fremont, IN and Sherry (Jim) Stevens of Muskegon, MI; grandchildren, Brayden, Bryar and Breelynn Muse-Mead, Tiffani and Kodi Bater, Danielle Miller, Amberley (Phil) Kerr, Andrew (Lindsey) Stevens and Adam Stevens; great grandchildren, Taja, Tozlin, Telissa, Phil and Hunter; sister, Judy Muse of Grand Rapids, MI; brothers, Jim (the late Dorothy) Muse of Anderson, IN and Frank (Lynne) Muse of Bemidji, MN; many nieces and nephews and his loving four legged companion, Daisy.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Athalie Williams.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 4 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Closing prayers will conclude the visitation. Ron will be laid to rest in the Fernwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Ron
PreshernFamily
Ron was a good boss and neighbor in Grayling, he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
From your old neighbors Gordon, Marian,Mike and Rob Preshern.
Rod & Cindy McDole - Lapel, IN
So sorry for your loss, Rod and I thoughts and prayers are with all the Family. He was a such a Great Uncle he will be sadly missed. Love you all!
Judy Muse - Grand Rapids, MI
Ron was a great brother and friend. He will be greatly missed by all his family. I am so grateful for the time I got to be with him shortly before his death. Soar with the angels Ron! You will always have a special place in my heart.
Ron, Lynn, Lizzy, Maurita and Gaylord Lohrer - Grayling, MI
Ron was an all around great person and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lois and the family at this difficult time. May he be at peace and his family know that they have another guardian angel now.
Sandra Johnson - Delray Beach, FL
Lois sorry to hear of your husband’s death. Thinking of you and your family.
Carol Steinhoff - Rapid River, Mi
Will remember Ron with fond memories.Smelting parties and camping with Pug and I. Fun riding the snow machines.
Rick & Mary Cayer - Gladstone, MI
Lois and Carrie we are so sorry for your loss. Ron with be missed greatly. We feel very fortunate to have know him for several years. You are in our thoughts and prayers . Heaven has gained an angel we will miss you greatly.
John & Jeannie Gibbeny - Sturgis, Mi
Sympathy to all the Muse family, he will be missed by all.
Joe Smith - Gladstone, Mi
I worked for many years at MichCon with Ron as he supervised construction crews for Sub Surface. He was an honest, hard working man who helped me out of a lot of difficult situations. I apologize for being unable to attend the visitation. He will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Emily - Anderson, IN
I am Jim Muse’s granddaughter. I only met Uncle Ronnie a few times, but I will say that he was a delightful man. I wish I could have been around Uncle Ronnie before God took him home. Grandpa always told me what a great family he has and I can see what he means. Sleep Sweet Uncle Ronnie. Thoughts and prayers to everyone in the family. May you find strength and healing in each other…and God.
Jerry Ritzenhein - Rockford , Mi
I knew Ron from working at Sub-Surface. He was a good man that I’m honored to have known him. The world will miss a great pipeliner.