Dr. Daniel Musselman

Dr. Daniel Musselman, 38, passed away in his home on November 19 after a courageous battle with cancer. Dan was a resident of Jackson, TN, and native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was an adored husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He was a member of First Baptist Church and Associate Professor of Music at Union University.
Dan loved music, an interest he pursued with excellence from childhood through graduate school and into his vocation of teaching, composing, and leading worship. He earned a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Bob Jones University, a master’s degree in composition from Westminster Choir College, and a doctorate in composition from the University of Kansas. He was an accomplished composer whose music will continue to inspire and bless many. While he enjoyed writing for a variety of performers and ensembles, highlights of his compositional career were collaborations with chamber groups, a performance at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, a commission by the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, and numerous pieces written for Union University ensembles. Dan also served as Music Minister at churches in New Jersey, Kansas, and Tennessee, sharing his passion for hymns and corporate worship. He was a respected colleague of Union’s Department of Music, where he taught for eight years and served as Acting Chair for two years. His commitment to loving, teaching, and advising his students was strong as he continued to teach through his illness.
Dan devoted himself to his wife and their three children. He had the gift of turning mundane tasks into memorable, silly events. He was endlessly entertaining with made-up stories and games, was always up for books, train setups, tents, or a spontaneous outdoor adventure. He enjoyed woodworking and built several treasured pieces for his family.
He faithfully followed Jesus Christ and inspired others throughout his battle with cancer. His will to live was strong, second only to his passion for others to know Christ. He will be remembered for his unshakable faith in God, desire to point others to Christ, genuine kindness, humility, readiness to help and his big smile.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Richard and Irma Oerth, James Musselman, and Deborah Donato; and his brother-in-law Lynwood Heisey. He is survived by his wife of fifteen years, Malinda (Heisey) of Jackson, TN, and their children Gideon, Zachariah and Meg; his parents Timothy and Linda (Oerth) Musselman of Alexandria, VA; his sister Rebekah and her husband Scott Frick of Greenville, SC; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Elwood and Mary Anne (Ressler) Heisey of Mt. Joy, PA; his brother- in-law Lenny and wife Jodi of Mountville, PA; and several nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Musselman Family Fund. Contributions can be made through the Venmo app (Musselman-FamilyFund) or by mailing a check to Foundation Bank (2138 Pleasant Plains Extension, Jackson, TN 38305).
The family will be receiving friends at First Baptist Church on Sunday, November 25, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm and again on Monday from 2:00 pm until the time of the service at 4:00 pm. The Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, November 26, at 4:00 pm at First Baptist Church, Jackson, TN. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, December 1, at 11:00 am at the Mountville Cemetery in Mountville, PA.