Cora Rothermal, GW

Cora is on our list of Gospel Workers but not with a number.  Cora Belle Rothermal was born 31 March 1891 to Harrison M. and Bregitta (Mengel) Rothermal of Blandon, Berks County, Pa.  She was baptized as an infant at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Hamburg, Berks County, Pa.  In 1900, the family is listed in the census as living in Maiden Creek which is the Blandon area.  Cora is nine years old and her sister Hettie May who became a Gospel Worker for life is just eleven.  By 1910, Cora’s and Hettie’s mother had passed away and their father remarried.  Cora and Hettie (listed as Mary in the 1910 census) are boarders in the home of William Gamler of Reading, along with Sarah Sterling who also became a Gospel Worker.  The three young ladies worked in a hosiery mill along with their landlord’s daughter.    If Cora actually had a career as a Gospel Worker it was short-lived.  On 7 December 1911 she married B. Bryan Musselman, the marriage officiated by Bryan’s father, preacher H. B. Musselman.  Cora was only 20 years old.  Cora and Bryan had two children:  Olivia and Reuel (a.k.a. Bud).  Bryan followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a preacher also.  For many years Cora was a pastor’s wife.  Cora died on 12 August 1978.  At the time of her death, she was living with her son and daughter-in-law in Whitehall.  Cora is buried next to her husband in Grandview Cemetery, Allentown.