Leonard E. Musselman

Leonard E. Musselman, 96, died Friday, February 4, 2011. He passed away in the home that he built in 1948 in "Little California." He was born in Quakertown on February 9, 1914, the son of William and Isabella (Schaffer) Musselman. His paternal grandparents were Levi and Catherine (Grow) Musselman, and his maternal grandparents were Cornelius and C. Amanda (Funk) Schaffer. He was the husband of Theresa (Kovacs) Musselman, who died on February 12, 1995. They were married at her parents' farm on Slifer Valley Road, near Pleasant Valley, on June 24, 1939. Along with Tess, Leonard was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley. Leonard was a proud graduate of the one-room school in "Little California." He became a member of the Richland Historical Society to assist in the preservation of the Shelly One-Room School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, stationed on the U.S.S. Ringgold in the Pacific. After the war, he attended and hosted numerous Ringgold reunions. Leonard worked at the U.S. Gauge in Sellersville prior to World War II. After the war, he became a carpenter and worked for various builders in Quakertown and Allentown. He was hired by the Corner House to build counters and interiors for their east coast stores. He also built his home, nearby apartments, and a house that he sold. A kind man, Leonard loved entertaining people, playing piano, singing, telling jokes, and reminiscing about old times. Throughout his life, he learned to play piano, banjo, guitar, clarinet, and bass fiddle. In childhood, Leonard and his brother, Reynold, were known as musical prodigies of Upper Bucks County. As an adult, he played professionally with his friend, violinist Joseph Puchta, as well as with Al Oxenford and the S Bar S Ranch Boys, Earl Keller and the Melody Rangers, the Parodians, and the Don Smith Trio. For forty years, Leonard played bass in the Terry Randall Trio, alongside his son, pianist Terry Musselman, and drummer Gerald Gerber. He also contributed his talents to the Pennridge Merrymakers and the Impossibles of the Upper Bucks Senior Center. He is survived by his son, Terry L. Musselman and his wife Mae D. of Quakertown; his granddaughter, Jennica A. Musselman of Lansdale; and his companion, Edith Sigmans of Trumbauersville. He was preceded in death by his brother, Reynold C. Musselman, in 1978. Services: Calling hours will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 9, at the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., 821 W. Broad St., Quakertown, PA 18951. There will be no services and interment will be private. Memorial contributions can be made to Richland Historical Society, 130 Richlandtown Pike, Quakertown, PA 18951. Service Information A service summary is not available