The Indiana Publisher

Arthur Kenneth Muselman, 77, and Gloria Elaine (Koeneman) Muselman, 76, leading citizens of Berne, died in a tragic car crash west of their home last week.

Art, a lifelong resident of Berne, was born on Feb. 1, 1930, to Christian and Edna (Sprunger) Muselman, both deceased. Gloria was born on March 11, 1931, to Arthur and Bertha (Heine) Koeneman of Decatur, both deceased.

They were married October 21, 1961.

Art and Gloria are survived by their son, Roger (Naomi) Muselman and grandchildren Sarah Elaine, Mark Arthur and David James of Berne; and daughter, Karen (Rev. David) Thomas and grandchildren Luke Christian, John Paul and Mary Esther Elaine of Lexington, Ky.

They are also survived by Art's sister, Ruth (Clinton) Steury of Fort Wayne and sister-in-law, Marilyn Muselman of Berne; Gloria's brother Roger (Fay) Koenemann of Decatur; and nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Art's brother, Carl H. Muselman, and two sisters, Carolyn Russett and Pauline Muselman, preceded them in death.

The Muselmans prized Taylor University, a Christian liberal arts college in Upland, Ind. They served on the Parents Cabinet in the 1980s, and were named "Parents of the Year" in 1987. Art was named trustee emeritus after completing 20 years on its Board of Trustees, and Gloria received the 1998 Distinguished Friend award. Together, they helped many students attend Taylor.

Art attended Taylor University and graduated from Indiana University in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in business. Art was a director emeritus for Dynamic Resource Group, the management company that oversees the publishing and fulfillment companies owned by the Muselman family.

Art began working at Economy Printing Concern, the family printing company, during his college years and then joined the business full time in 1952. His father, who came to the United States from Germany in 1910, founded the printing company in 1925.

In 1959, Carl and Art purchased the business from their father, and Art served there until his retirement in the mid-1990s. The brothers oversaw the printing company, now called EP Graphics, for 40 years.

In 1976, the Muselman brothers purchased The Berne Tri-Weekly News, the only community newspaper in Indiana that is published three times a week.

In 1985, Carl and Art purchased a publishing company in New Hampshire, House of White Birches, and moved the operations to Berne.

The purchase of House of White Birches was followed by the acquisitions of The Needlecraft Shop in 1994 and Annie's Attic in 1996, both Texas-based craft magazine and catalog publishers. After the purchase of Annie's Attic, the Muselmans formed a fulfillment company--Strategic Fulfillment Group, which is located in Big Sandy, Texas.

In 2002, the Muselmans expanded their company with the acquisitions of Clotilde's Sewing Notions--a cataloger in the retail needlecraft industry--and American School of Needlework--a leading publisher of needlecraft books and patterns based in Southern California.

Preferred memorials are Swiss Village Retirement Community and Taylor University. Arrangements are pending at Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home in Berne. Please access www.drgnetwork.com or www.bernetriweekly.com for updated information.