Dr. Ivan H. Trusler Jr.

Ivan Trusler was born in Lake Village, Ark., on Aug. 10, 1925, to the Rev. and Mrs. Ivan H. Trusler Sr. He was educated in Gadsden, Ala., public schools as well as the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, receiving, among other decorations, the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Following the war, he attended Kansas State University at Emporia. In 1950, he was awarded a bachelors degree in music and music education, and in 1951, a masters degree. He taught music in the public schools of Kansas for four years. During the summers, he attended Columbia University in New York City. After a 15-month residency at Columbia in 1955, he was awarded a doctorate degree in music and music education.

He accepted a position at the University of Delaware as Director of Choral Activities where he remained for 11 years. His choruses and orchestras received national acclaim from performances at national conven-tions. As a result, he was invited to conduct all-state choruses and orchestras around the country, from New England and New York to California.
He began a series of publications culminating in five books and well over 150 arrangements and editions of choral music. Will all the activity, he kept up his studies, commuting monthly to New York for score study and analysis with Julius Herford.

In 1966, he accepted the position of director of choral activities in the College of Musical Arts, Bowling Green (Ohio) State University. He also was musical director of opera and musicals. His collegiate chorale and orchestra received international acclaim with performances in London, Amsterdam, Salzburg, Vienna and Zurich. At Bowling Green, many of the great choral-orchestral works were performed under his baton as well as operas and Broadway musicals. He retired in 1985.

He was predeceased by his son, The Rev. Ivan H. Trusler III.

His wonderful family includes his wife Cecilia, whom he married in 1948; their daughter Nikki (Mrs. Den-nis Leone), born in 1951; six grandchildren, Ivan Trusler, IV, Amanda Trusler (Mrs. Ty Smith), Rebecca Trusler (Mrs. Josh Avery), Shannon Leone (Mrs. Siddhartha Hathad), Lindsey Leone and Christopher Leone; and a sister, Mrs. H. D. Blackwood and Family.

Ivan was an avid golfer, serving as president of the Toledo District Golf Association and as a rules official for the United States Golf Association. Other avocations included vegetable gardening, chair caning, and woodworking. He was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, where he frequently served as lector. Ivan was a devout Christian.

A musical celebration to the Glory of God in his honor will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, 2008, at St. Andrew Episcopal Church with Fr. Tom Weller and Fr. Roy McLuen officiating. In lieu of flowers, contribu-tions in Ivan's name may be made to the Holy Nativity Episcopal School Scholarship Fund, 222 N. Bonita Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.kentforestlawn.com.

Kent-Forest Lawn
Funeral Home
2403 Harrison Ave.
Panama City, Fla. 32405
(850) 763-4694