Gale Edward Martz, 83, of Ottumwa, died at 5:33 a.m. September 29, 2024 at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City.
He was born December 27, 1940 in Ottumwa to Gale Lloyd and Edna Etha Liblin Martz. Gale married Catherine Marie Teno on October 16, 1982.
Gale was always a hard worker. At the age of 10, Gale helped his dad score the ice while working at Shafer Ice and at age 14 he delivered coal to homes and businesses for Critchlow Coal. He worked for Continental Mfg. for 6 months making blue jeans. In 1962 Gale worked on the Rock Island Railroad. In October of 1964 Gale started Martz Auto Sales and he had the first Toyota dealership in Iowa, driving to Chicago to bring in the cars. In the 1980’s he also sold electric cars. In the car business, Gale would trade for everything, cows, pigs, even horses, owning Tennessee Walkers. In the late 60’s and early 70’s he owned and operated Safeway Transit Bus Line, operating 3 round trips daily from Ottumwa to Burlington. In the early 70’s he owned Magic Cleaners on Pennsylvania Avenue. After 53 years, Gale “semi” retired on July 31, 2017, but continued farming on the side. He enjoyed spending time outside at the farm, mowing and cutting down trees.
Gale served in the Iowa Army National Guard 224th Engineer Battalion. He was a member of Ottumwa Chamber of Commerce, Ottumwa Ambassadors, B.P.O. Elks Lodge #347, O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #114 and a social member of Knights of Columbus. He chaired the American Cancer Society Bike-A-Thon, was a member of Vintage Car Club in Ottumwa and other car clubs. Gale was an avid trap shooter and a member of American Trap Association. He enjoyed golfing and collecting old cars and trucks and he loved going to car shows and showing off his cars in parades.
Gale felt it was always important to support Ottumwa. He was a man of many nicknames and full heartedly loved life.
Surviving is his wife, Cathy; his daughter, Barb (Joe) Coffin of Walcott; a granddaughter, Amira Coffin; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Scott Treptow, Judy Martz, Cindy (Gary) Smith Joe (Pat) Teno; along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Carol Treptow, Doris Williams and Dixie Bertroche; brothers, Sam Martz and Bill Collins.
Visitation will be open at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 3rd at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, October 4th at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Hornback officiating. Burial will be in the Martz Addition of Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
