Melvin Ernest MUSSELMAN

MUSSELMAN: Melvin June 28, 1919 - June 5, 2007 Melvin Ernest Musselman was born in Glenside, Saskatchewan. He was the fourth child of thirteen children born to Olga and Perry Musselman. He went to school at “Happy Hollow” in Glenside for about 8 years, then the family decided to move to Crystal Springs in 1933. While the family travelled by the wagon to the new homestead, Mel, aged 14 helped the men herd the cattle, walking over 100 miles and sleeping under the stars. A few years later he left home to work in the hard rock mines in Flin Flon, Manitoba. His son, Don, was born in 1942. Mel then went into the army and applied to go overseas but was never sent and stayed in Canada until the end of WW2. He worked in the lumber industry in B.C., then went to work in Mayo, Yukon, under very primitive working conditions as a Dynamiter. He continued to work many different jobs including Truck Driver, Oil Rig worker and Miner. In 1948 he moved to Edmonton. While driving truck he was hit by a train and walked out without a scratch. Shortly after he was introduced to Fern, who was taking hairdressing. He decided to take up a safer career in Barbering in 1953, apprenticing in Hanna, Alberta and joined Fern at the Victory Beauty Salon and Barber Shop in Drumheller, Alberta. They married on November 8, 1952 and their daughter Gwen was born in 1957. In 1961 after building their home on 9th Street, Mel retired from Barbering and took up an active career in Real Estate. In 1986 they moved to Red Deer. In 1983, 1984 and 1988 he became a grandfather to Jennifer, Justin and Jolene. Mel was an avid fisherman and loved to camp and spend time with his family. He loved golfing, travelling south with Fern for 22 years during the winter months. Mel seemed to win most tournaments he played in and insisted he scored 3 hole in ones in his career (at least two are documented). He played golf with his daughter just last year in Radium Hot Springs. He enjoyed playing cards at the Downtown House and Legion and went for coffee at the Mall almost everyday. He was always on the move and continually involved in his family. He is predeceased by his son in 1998 and his wife in 2006. He was a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, brother and grandfather. He will be sadly missed by his family and will always be in our thoughts.