Leah Ann Mussinan

Leah Ann (Arey) Mussinan went to be with her Lord and Savior, Wednesday, July 1, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. Leah known as “Lea Ann” while growing up, was born on June 6, 1940, in Peebles, Ohio, to the late Walter Lewis and Louella Fern (Rogers) Arey. A fact that Leah was so proud of was that D-Day, the Allied landing at Normandy Beach on June 6, 1944, fell on her fourth birthday. Which made her so proud. She enjoyed birthdays in years ending in “6”; just a few weeks ago, she just turned eighty-six on June 6, 2026. When most are superstitious of multiple sixes, they were never a problem for Mom. She was the second of three children, Roger being the oldest and welcoming her to the family and Ellen the youngest, whom she helped welcome to their family. Lea Ann attended Peebles High School and was involved in many activities. She graduated in 1958.

On Sunday, May 10, 1964, Mother’s Day, Leah married Russell Lee “Butch” Mussinan at the United Methodist Church in Peebles, Ohio. Their devoted marriage lasted twenty-seven years, until Butch’s death on June 13, 1991. They raised their family just outside Ripley on Old U.S. 68, in the home they began building before their wedding. Leah devoted her life to her family; Butch, twins, Michael and Mark, Jarod and Jennifer and fostered a Christian-based, structured and loving home. Teaching all of her children how to be domestic and to be able to take care of themselves.

Leah was a faithful member of the Ripley Church of Christ from the time she moved to Ripley until she was no longer able to attend. She was a charter member of the church’s Women for Christ group and served as its first secretary. She helped with many Vacation Bible Schools and worked in the nursery in her younger years and helped serve for many family meals. Most importantly, she and Butch made sure their four children were always in church and came to know their Lord and Savior as their own.

Leah was also active in community organizations. She was a longtime member and past president of the Ripley Women’s Club. She also was a past member of Danberry Chapter No. 230, Order of the Eastern Star, where she served in many roles, including Worthy Matron. More recently, she joined the Daughters of the American Revolution along with her sister Ellen. She joined the local Taliaferro Chapter in Georgetown, Ohio and served as Chaplain.

Reading was one of Leah’s great passions. Each week, without fail, she and her children visited the Union Township Public Library to return books and check out new ones. That love of reading led to her career at the library. What began as helping with an annual book purge and shelf cleaning grew into a full-time position in 1982 and she became instrumental in creating and organizing the Children’s Library which officially opened on December 9, 1982. At the time, her co-workers were Bette Plymesser, Library Director and Stella Case, fellow Library Aide. She worked at the library until 1991 but remained a devoted patron until her health made it too difficult to visit . At the start of the 1991–1992 school year, Leah became the library aide for the RUL School District. Over time, she worked in both the Aberdeen and Ripley elementary buildings until the new elementary school opened in Ripley, where she organized the new library. Leah retired from the RULH School District in June 2002.

After retirement, Leah pursued another passion: sewing, specifically quilting. Over the years, she made several full-size quilts, wall hangings, table runners, and other pieces. She also joined the Golden Needles Quilt Club in Maysville, Kentucky. During her membership, she served as club secretary for several years, attended many quilt retreats, participated in club events, rarely missed a weekly sew day, and, most importantly, formed many lasting friendships.

Leah was preceded in death by her parents, husband Butch, granddaughter Braunwyn Mussinan and one unborn grandchild. She is survived by her loving children and their families; Michael and wife Shay of Georgetown, Ohio, Mark and wife Jeanie, Jarod and Jennifer and husband, Tom Germann all of Ripley, Ohio. Six grandchildren; Katlyn (Frank) Hartman, Alexander Mussinan, Courtney (Kyle) Decker, Corey (Kacey) Germann, Shallyn Mussinan and Cody (Kenzie) Germann; five great grandchildren; brother, Roger (Joyce) Arey of Centerville, Ohio and sister, Ellen Litton of Mason, Ohio.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. at the Ripley Church of Christ in Ripley, Ohio on Friday, July 3, 2026 with John Neu officiating. A visitation will be held just prior at the church from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Interment will be in the Maplewood Cemetery in Ripley, Ohio.

A special and heart-felt thank you is given to the staff at The Ohio Valley Manor and Queen City Hospice for their loving and attentive care to mom.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Ripley Church of Christ, P O Box 158, Ripley, OH 45167.