Leon MARTIN

MARTIN, BILYEU, DEEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/27/2011 at 13:16:07

October 19, 1921 -- October 24, 2011

Leon "Champ" Martin" was born October 19, 1921 on the family farm north of Goldfield, Iowa, Champ was a man of great Christian character and strength. A devoted husband to his wife, Dottie, a dedicated father, inspirational school teacher, championship wrestling coach and competitor, master homebuilder and woodworker, his legacy will long be remembered.

He began his education in a one room school house in Eagle Grove, Iowa. He graduated from Eagle Grove High School, going on to attended Iowa Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa). While attending ITC, two life shaping events occurred: he met Dottie who became his wife and most loyal supporter, and he established himself as a championship wrestler. Interrupting his education to serve in World War II on a PT boat, he returned to Iowa Teacher's College after the war to complete his degree in Industrial Arts education. His first teaching assignment was in Algona, Iowa where he successfully completed 34 years of teaching and coaching. He is part of the proud history of wrestling excellence in Algona and was inducted into three Iowa Wrestling Halls of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments as an individual state champion, a state championship coach, and a collegiate All- American. He also built 20 homes (fondly known as Champ's 20) in Algona during the summers of his teaching career.

During Champ's retirement, he and Dottie continued to be active in the life of their community and to serve in their church, First Presbyterian. Faithful supporters of AHS sports, concerts and plays, they added travelling to their active lives, visiting family and friends. Champ also continued to utilize his carpentry skills making items for craft shows, rebuilding furniture and sharing his wood-working skills at the church. His renowned work ethic modeled excellence, diligence and punctuality set against the background of his melodious whistling, hymn singing crossword puzzle solving and "Pepsi breaks".

Champ went to be with his Lord on Monday, October 24, 2011, at the Via Christi Village Care Center in Ponca City, Oklahoma, where he has been a resident the last two years. He was 90. Two and a half years ago, Champ moved to Oklahoma to be closer to family and resided in Ponca City. He is survived by three living sons, and one daughter: Dave (wife, Toni), Stillwater, OK; Linda Bilyeu (husband, David), Bend, Oregon; Paul (wife, Lynda), Ponca City, OK; Jim, Boise, Idaho as well as eleven grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Miriam Deen (husband, Harrison), Portales, New Mexico, four nieces and two nephews as well as great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dottie, on June 1, 1994; son, Bob Martin on December 15, 2007; sister, Cleo Martin and brother, Don Martin and his wife Margaret.

Interment: Riverview Cemetery ~ Algona, Iowa
Service: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 - 10:30 AM
First Presbyterian Church ~ Algona
101 N. Main St.
Algona, Iowa 50511

http://oakcrestfuneralservices.com/obituary/73691/Leon-Martin

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Leon "Champ" Martin, 1942 NCAA finalist for Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) and long-time high school wrestling coach, died Monday in Ponca City, Okla. He was 90.

Martin, who was born October 19, 1921 on the family farm outside Goldfield, Iowa, attended Eagle Grove High School, where he won the 165-pound title at the Iowa state wrestling championships. Martin continued his wrestling career at ISTC, making it to the 175-pound finals of the 1942 NCAA championships, the last held before World War II. In the NCAA title bout, Martin lost on a referee's decision to Dick DiBatista of the University of Pennsylvania 4-4, 1-1, RD.

After serving on a PT boat in World War II, Martin returned to ISTC, where he not only earned his degree in Industrial Arts Education, but also met his future wife, Dottie. After graduating from the Cedar Falls-based school, Martin launched his teaching and coaching career at Algona High School. As wrestling coach at Algona, Martin could claim 16 individual state champions, and four state team titles in the decade from 1966-1975. For his accomplishments as a coach, Martin was named a distinguished prep coach by Amateur Wrestling News magazine, and has been welcomed into three wrestling halls of fame, including the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco.

Martin was also known as a woodworker and master homebuilder, building 20 homes in Algona during summer breaks from teaching. Two-and-a-half years ago, Martin moved to Oklahoma to be closer to family. He passed away at the Via Christi Village Care Center in Ponca City. He is survived by three sons and one daughter; he was preceded in death by his wife in 1994, and son Bob in 2007.

Visitation will be held Monday, Oct. 31 from 4-7 p.m. at Oakcrest Funeral Services, 218 S. Moore Street in Algona. The funeral will be Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 101 N. Main in Algona. Burial will be at Riverview Cemetary in Algona.

http://www.examiner.com/college-wrestling-in-national/leon-champ-martin-1942-ncaa-runner-up-for-istc-dead-at-90