Leon Z. Martin

On January 28, 2026, Leon Z. Martin passed from this life into the next and is finally face to face with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, two days before his 97th birthday.

Leon was the youngest of 11 children born to his parents William Z. and Anna M. Martin. As a young boy he grew up riding horses to show at his father’s weekly horse auction at the Martin (later New Holland) Sales Stables. When he was 22, he married his first wife Verna N. Weaver and together they had three sons, Jerold R. (Barbara Burkholder), Leon Roy (Cynthia Balmer), and Galen L. (Rosene Horst). Verna died suddenly after nearly six years of marriage, leaving Leon alone with their three sons ages 4 and under. Six years later, Leon married his second wife, Clara M. Burkholder and together they had two daughters, Regina M. (Stuart Hess), and Andrea B. (John Rutt). Leon and Clara enjoyed 63 years of marriage together.

Leon is survived by his wife, his 19 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom he counted as close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and his 10 siblings; Mary Ellen (Eli Zimmerman), Paul (Rachel), Harvey (Elizabeth), William (Frances), Anna (Clarence Martin), Lydia (Lloyd Burkholder), Elsie (Caleb Stauffer), Landis (Grace), Louis (Ada), and Elva (Aaron Stauffer).

Leon worked in various jobs until in 1974 when he and Clara started Martin Paving. They were soon joined by their three sons and today it is being run by five of their grandsons in the third generation. In his retirement years, Leon helped start Elite Coach, and was a driver for the weekly trips to Florida over the winter. Leon & Clara also guided tours together, leading groups overseas to Europe as well as day trips in the states.

Leon gave generously of his time by helping to start Hinkletown Mennonite School and Terre Hill Mennonite High School. He also served on the boards of Ephrata National Bank, Ephrata Township, LIFE Ministries, and Lighthouse Rehabilitation Center.

Leon loved to be busy and loved to be with people. Many happy times were spent together as a family at the Garden Spot Hunting Camp in Sullivan County and later at Waterloo Acres in Juniata County. Even though Leon was not a fluent reader, he faithfully read through the Bible every year for decades. He personally distributed many issues of Our Daily Bread and encouraged others to read through the Bible as well. His heart was for his family and friends to know God.

Leon was a faithful member of Martindale Mennonite Church for 45 years where he served as Sunday School teacher, trustee, and on the building committee. In his more recent years, he was a member at Heritage Mennonite Church in Stevens.

The family would like to thank Covenant Home Care, Anabaptist Care, and Hospice and Community Care; for their faithful and compassionate care for Leon over the last three months.

His funeral will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 2 pm at Martindale Mennonite Church, 171 Hurst Rd., Ephrata (Martindale). Interment will be in Groffdale Mennonite (Frame) Cemetery. Viewings will be held at the church on Sunday from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm and on Monday from 1 to 2 pm. The Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland is in charge of arrangements.