Barbara Lee Mumich

 Barbara L. Mumich​​, 90, of East Jordan, died on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in Midland, Michigan.

She was born on December 1, 1935, in Mt. Clemens, the daughter of Albert and Eletha (Fox) LaForest. She attended high school in Boyne City until the eleventh grade.  She then married Stephen "Steve" Mumich, Jr. on February 14, 1953, at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Boyne City. They began their life together in Boyne Falls and later moved to East Jordan.  Because Barbara married early, she delayed her senior year.  In later life, she returned to high school for two years, attending school with her children and graduated from East Jordan High School in 1972, one year ahead of her daughters.

Barbara had been a member of St. Matthews Catholic Church in Boyne City and St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Jordan. Barbara received a diploma from the Christian Leadership Institute for Christian Ministry to be a Christian minister for bereavement care. She taught religious education at St. Joseph Catholic Church as well as confirmation class.  She participated with E.M.E., to provide communion to home bound people, was a lector, a cantor, eucharistic minister and sang in the choir at St. Joseph.  Barbara volunteered for Hospice of Northwest Michigan, specializing in bereavement counseling.

Additionally, she was a cub/wolf scout den mother, a girl scout leader and helped with the local Little League.  With her three daughters, Barbara was a Mary Kay consultant and member of the Red Hat Society. Barbara enjoyed working at Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan, driving a bus for the Char-Em Intermediate School and a substitute aide.  

She was loved by many friends, family and community.  She was well known and was socially active. What Barbara loved the most was her Family and her Faith!

She is survived by five children, Janet Krussell of Zephyrhills Florida, Marge Marker (Sam Makarewcz) of Elmira, Stephen M. Mumich, III of Midland, Eileen (Tom) Dickey of Churchton, Maryland, Barry Mumich of Elmira; 21 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; 19 great great grandchildren; and sister, Ruth Ann Schwartzfisher of Petoskey and Zephyrhills, Florida.  Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen "Steve" Mumich, Jr. on August 28, 2022; infant son, Matthew Kenneth Mumich in 1962; daughter Theresa “Terri” Barbara Mumich on October 12, 1972; 2 grandsons, Jamison Michael Dickey on September 18, 2020, and James Robert Mumich on July 7, 1995; brothers, Charles, Thomas, Bernard, Dale, Jack and Jim; and sisters, Mary Lee LaForest and Elaine Kowalske.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, East Jordan.  The family will receive friends on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc. in East Jordan.  A Rosary service will be held at 7:30 P.M. at the funeral home.  A private graveside service at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Boyne City will be held at a later date.  Memorials may be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church.

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