Berne couple killed in crash (08/31/07)

Two Berne residents were killed in an auto accident in Wells County on Thursday.

Arthur Muselman, 77, and his wife Gloria, 76, died when the car they were driving was hit by a semi tractor trailer at the intersection of Ind. 1 and Ind. 218 in Reiffsburg.

Art Muselman was one of the founding members of Economy Printing Concern (now known as EP Graphics) and a co-owner of the Berne Tri-Weekly newspaper.

The accident occurred at 5:22 p.m., according to a news release from the Wells County Sheriff's Department.

Eugene Hackler, who drove the semi owned by First Fleet, tried to brake and swerved to miss the couple's vehicle but was unable to do so. The Muselmans were pronounced dead at the scene.

Hackler was taken by ambulance to Bluffton Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and later released.

The Muselmans were members of the Peace Lutheran Church.

The couple also earned several awards for their dedication and service to the Berne area.

Art Muselman worked at and operated a family business, He and his brothers oversaw Economy Printing Concern, now known as EP Graphics, for 40 years. The brothers also purchased the Berne Tri-Weekly newspaper in 1976. Art served as director of Dynamic Resource Group, which owns House of White Birches publishing, Berne, and other publishing companies.

Memorials can be sent to Swiss Village Retirement Community and Taylor University. Arrangement are pending at Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home, Berne.