LEEMAN, Gerald 1922-2008
LEEMAN, REAMS, FOX
Posted By: K. Kittleson
Date: 10/17/2008 at 12:37:45
CEDAR FALLS, IOWA - Gerald "Germ" Leeman, 86, died Friday, October 10, 2008 of cancer at Thalman Square in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1301 Kimball Avenue, Waterloo, IA with Dr. Scott Paczkowski officiating. Honorary Casket Bearers were Bill Nelson, Keith Young, Gene Maakestad, and Duke Angell. Casket Bearers were Jay Leeman, Mark Leeman, Jayson Leeman, Cody Leeman, John Willmore, Darrel Willhite and Thad Turner. Burial was at Cedar Crest Cemetery, Jesup, IA, with military rites will be conducted by Pump-Scheer American Legion Post 342 of Jesup, IA. Memorial contributions may be made to the Coach Leeman for Lehigh Wrestling fund. Online condolences may be left at www.white-mthope.com
Germ was born on June 22, 1922 in Osage, Mitchell county, Iowa the second of ten children of William and Mae (Reams) Leeman. He lived there until his graduation from Osage High School. Upon graduation he attended State Teachers College (UNI) until his entrance into the United States Navy in 1943. He served his country as a carrier pilot until his discharge in 1945, at which time he returned to State Teachers College and received his bachelor's degree in 1948.
He married Darlene Fox of Jesup on August 2, 1945. The couple lived for a short time in Ft. Dodge, Iowa where he served as head wrestling coach before they moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where he began his longtime association with Lehigh University as their head wrestling coach.
Germ had a distinguished career as a wrestler and a coach. He won three state high school championships (1939, 1940, 1941) at Osage High School, two national AAU championships, an NCAA championship (1946) where he was named outstanding wrestler, and a silver medal at the 1948 Olympic Games in London. He served as head wrestling coach for Lehigh for 18 seasons during which time his record was 161-38-4, never had a losing season, won six EIWA team championships, coached six men to nine NCAA titles, and made men of hundreds of boys. Lehigh's wrestling arena is now known as Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall in his and Thad Turner's honor.
He is a member of several halls of fame including the NCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Glen Brand Iowa Hall of Fame at the Dan Gable Wrestling Institute and Museum and was named by Sports Illustrated as one of the top fifty Iowa athletes of the 20th century.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene of Cedar Falls, IA; two sons, Mark Leeman and Jay (Judy)Leeman of Bethlehem, PA; one daughter, Jerilou (John) Willmore of Hubbard, IA; two brothers, Wayne (Susie) Leeman of Pinehurst, NC, and Bill Leeman of Cassa Grande, AZ; two sisters, Beverly (Jim) Hoy of McHenry, IL and Barb (Larry) Campbell of Winterset, IA; grandsons, Jayson Leeman, Cody Leeman, and Travis Moseley; granddaughter, Heather (Justin) Dyar; step grandson, Ben Willmore; great-grandsons, Ayden Dyar and Prentice Dyar; sister-in-law, Betty Buckles; and special nieces, Becky (Darrel) Willhite and Bonnie Dunham. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Albert, Dale, Keith, Donald, and Shirley; and brother-in-law Gene Buckles.
White Funeral Home, Jesup, Iowa was in charge of the arrangements.
[Original obituary posted on www.mcpress.com , Oct. 13, 2008 -- Mitchell County Press-News]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Photos of Gerald from Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame website.
Mitchell Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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