Archie Douglas Muma, Jr.

Archie Douglas Muma, Jr. was born 7/2/1927 in Rosebush, MI., and transcended in peace on 8/2/2025.

The oldest son of Cecelia Manausa and Archie Muma, Sr., he had a happy childhood hunting and fishing in the woods and streams of Rosebush, Michigan, with his siblings: Margaret, Donna, James, and Deanna, who all predeceased him. The family moved to Jackson, Michigan, where he was an excellent student and President of the Student Council.

As a high school junior, he was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. While waiting for induction, he accepted a temporary job with Michigan Bell Telephone Company.

He received basic training at Ft. McClellan, Alabama, and was assigned to Kearns Overseas Replacement Depot for duty in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. While waiting in line to receive his gear, his commanding officer pulled him from the line and informed him he was being reassigned to Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, as a weather observer due to his high IQ test scores. After completing meteorology school, he was assigned to the weather base in Roswell, New Mexico.

He was discharged as a Corporal in 1947 and returned to Michigan Bell Telephone Company, where he enjoyed a 37-year career as a communications engineer, which took him to New York, Japan, Korea, Guam, and Hawaii. He attended the University of Michigan and Wayne State University.

In 1949, he married Margaret Eloise Binsack of Jackson, Michigan, and they were married for 42 years before her passing. Their children are: Linda, Nancy (Mike Shaughnessy), Janet (Robert Beam) and Cindy. He was a devoted grandfather to Brendan and Patrick Shaughnessy, Jacqueline Sytsma, and great-grandfather to Arielle, Everleigh, Illianna, and Cassius Shaughnessy.

Upon retirement, he and Eloise raised cattle at Stone Hill Ranch in Hillman, Michigan, and fished the frozen floodwaters in the winter. He was an avid fisherman and hunter who never missed opening day of trout season. He enjoyed crosswords, auctions, collecting old radios, telephones, and antique cars. He was a master gardener and certified tree steward who enjoyed growing fruit trees, vegetables, tea roses, and orchids. He was known as "The MacGyver Guy" for his ability to design, build, and repair almost anything. A licensed builder, he designed and built 5 homes.

He was highly respected as Zoning Administrator for Montmorency and Rutland Townships. He was Chairman of the Taxation Board of Review in Rutland Township.

In 1992, he married Jacqueline (Phelan) Battiste, and they enjoyed 33 happy retirement years together in Michigan, Florida, and Arizona.

As a member of the Greatest Generation, he was above all a patriotic American and a lifetime member of the American Legion.

Cremation has taken place, and a military celebration of Mr. Muma's life will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta. Michigan.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Hastings Public Library. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.