John Edward Muse

West Des Moines

John Edward Muse, 92, passed away Monday, February 23rd at Mercy Hospital. A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 5th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a rosary to follow at 7:30 p.m. at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines. His funeral mass and gathering will be held 11 a.m. Friday, March 6th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines. Burial at Glendale Cemetery will follow after a lunch reception.

John was born on March 13, 1922 to Walter and Carrie Muse in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the younger of two Scotch Irish boys (Norman), and grew up on Des Moines south side. As a Lincoln High School graduate and future husband of a local Italian girl (Ramona Romeo), John became an adopted son of the Italian community where he had many friends and family. He spent one year at The University of Iowa before settling down with his soul mate, Ramona Ilene Muse.

John and Ramona have been owner/operators of multiple family fun roller skating rinks in the Des Moines area. They first brought roller skating to the community in 1970 with the opening of Skate West and soon followed with Skate East, Skate North and Skate South. John loved the family entertainment business where he served on the National Speed Skating Coaches Committee. He was known throughout the area for his coaching and teaching of all the aspects of roller sports. He brought roller skates to local schools as part of roller educational programs. He coached and traveled with figure, dance and speed skaters to places all over the world as part of the local competition teams. Most importantly, he played second dad to thousands of kids who came to know him as Mr. John. He was a legend in the community.

John loved to skate, as the ice rink was where he met his future wife Ramona. He also liked to coach all sports with a special passion for wrestling. He loved all things related to Dowling Catholic High School and could be found in the stands at any sport Dowling had a team or athlete involved in. He spent time as a high school football official and loved his time with friends on the golf course. His greatest love was to follow his children and grandchildren around as he was their biggest fan throughout their many competitions and performances. John was dedicated to his relationship with Jesus as a member of Sacred Heart Church.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Ramona; his son, John Dante Muse; and grandson, Jubal Muse. He is survived by his five remaining children and their spouses: Lark (Greg) Hinman, Mark (Debbi) Muse, Becky (Cory) Hundley, Dante (Romina) Muse and Antony (Cassandra) Muse; 21 grandchildren, Mona, Annah, Emery, London, Alexie, Logan, Dominic, Delaney, Hannah, Ramona, Willie, Mackenzie, Cole, Faith, Lorenza, Francesca, Gabrielle, Rachel, Antony, Ellasandra and Sofia; and 10 great-grandchildren, Sayge, Rylan, Kenley, Hudsen, Tucker, Bailee, Madilynn, Henry, Andy and Ruby.