Abner Gray Musser, Jr. 99, of 2001 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, formerly of Holtwood passed away at Mennonite Home on December 6th. He was the husband of Ellen Rohrer Musser and enjoyed 70 years of marriage. Born in South Bend, Indiana on October 25, 1917, Ab was the son of the late Abner G. Musser, Sr. and Esther M. Zeamer Musser. Surviving in addition to his wife Ellen are four children, Patricia married to Rine Neff, Michael married to Jean Wagner Musser, Abner “Skip” Musser, and Scott married to Lauren Herr Musser. He was extremely proud of being Pappy to his eleven grandsons, Gray Musser, Greg Musser, Nathan Musser, Michael Musser, Eric Musser, Matthew Musser, Brian Musser, Andrew Neff, Alex Neff, Brent Musser and John Neff, twelve great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law Charlotte Garner Musser. He was preceded in death by brothers John and Benjamin and sister, Ruth Musser Shenk. Ab proudly served as an Army Air Corp and Air Force Veteran of 12 years as a 1st Lt. with the 445th Bomb Squadron, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force in England. He flew 26 missions of which 16 were on a lead crew as a Bombardier in a B-24. He received the D.F.C. 5 Air Medals, Purple Heart and numerous Campaign Medals. He also served in Puerto Rico, Panama, Guatemala C.A., Ecuador, S.A. He was a member of the American Legion and life member of Veteran of Foreign Wars. Ab enjoyed travel by freighter to foreign countries and visited all but 3 states in the United States by auto. One of his greatest joys was taking his sons and grandsons to the 40th Bombardier reunions. As a second generation owner, Ab enjoyed a long career in the family grocery business started in 1925 by his parents at “The Buck” in southern Lancaster County. He and brother’s John and Ben established the first grocery store in the County with air-conditioning and later added butcher shop and feed mill operations. With a growing business he and John secured new property and opened a larger supermarket in 1973 introducing the first scanners into the grocery industry in Lancaster County. In 1981 Ab retired, passing the business along to his sons as the 3rd generation in operations. One of his great pleasures has been watching the business expand into the 4th generation and multiple locations. He recently enjoyed seeing the meat departments named for him as “Abners”. Ab’s customers and family will remember his quick smile, fast steps, “light warehouse”, well- stocked and perfectly-faced shelves.
Ab was a member of Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church, Quarryville. Additionally he served on the Board of Directors for Associated Grocers and on financial committees for the former Commonwealth Bank. Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 14 at 10:00 AM at Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Guy Dunham officiating. Interment will be private at the discretion of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 1068 Chestnut Level Road Quarryville, PA 17566 and Mennonite Home Benevolent Care, 2001 Harrisburg Pike Lancaster PA 17604. Arrangements entrusted to Reynolds Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Quarryville, PA. To send an online note of condolence, please visit our website at www.reynoldsfuneralhome.net Comments are closed.
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