Wendell B. (Chappy) Musser

Wendell B. “Chappy” Musser, longtime resident of Coburn, passed from this life on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Mount Nittany Medical Center.  He was 93.  Born June 11, 1926 in Aaronsburg, Chappy was a son of the late Lawrence and Grace (Bower) Musser.  He was a graduate of East Penns Valley High School.  Upon graduation, Chappy entered the U.S Navy where he served on PT boat #126 in the South Pacific Ocean as a Gunner’s Mate for two years.  Upon his return home, on August 14, 1948, he married Phyllis I. Bohn who passed away in April 2009. 

Chappy bought his father’s milk route in 1948 and picked up milk in 10 gallon cans and delivered them to milk plants in both Spring Mills and Lewisburg over a 30 year period.  He worked for the American Breeder Service from 1959-1993.  Chappy was a member of the St. James United Methodist Church in Coburn where he was very active in church activities.  Other memberships include 50 + years in the Millheim Lions Club, the High Top Gun Club (where in 1950 he proudly bagged a 331 pound black bear), and the American Legion Keystone Post # 444 in Millheim.  Chappy volunteered for the Millheim Cable Company since 1966.  He didn’t miss many days at the Millheim Coffee Club either. He enjoyed attending events of his grandchildren, talking about Penns Valley history, making homemade ice cream, playing Pinochle, delivering the Centre County Gazette, and watching Pittsburgh Pirate baseball.  He even had pet trout in Elk Creek, and would sit on a bench beside the creek and feed them Lebanon bologna.  The fish would even take food right from his fingers. 

Chappy is well known in the valley for being an avid Penn State and Penns Valley athletic fan and supporter.  He was an usher at Penn State football games, holding season tickets for 60 years.  He loved Penn State wrestling just as much, along with Penns Valley wrestling, and was inducted into the Penns Valley Wresting Club “Fan Hall of Fame” in 2012.  Chappy will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Surviving is one daughter, Wendy Stodart (Tim) of Millheim; one granddaughter, Leah Stodart of Brooklyn, NY; one grandson, Braden Stodart of State College; one sister, Ethel Frazier of Pleasant Gap and his beloved feline companion, Pumpkin.  In addition to his wife Phyllis, Chappy was preceded in death by one brother, Alvin “Pony” Musser. 

Family and friends will be received from 9-12 noon on Saturday, November 30th at the St. James United Methodist Church in Coburn.  The funeral service will follow at 12 noon with Pastor Theresa Heiser officiating.  Chappy will be laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery in Millheim.  Contributions in his memory may be given to St. James United Methodist Church, PO Box 90, Coburn, PA 16832. 

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