Leon Walter Artz

"Wimpy"

Bollman Hat Company Retiree - 45 Years

Leon W. “Wimpy” Artz, 84, of 106 Raybill Drive, Bowmansville, Lancaster County, died in his home Wednesday morning at 12:10 AM under the care of Hospice of Lancaster County following a lengthy illness.  Born in Bowmansville, he was a son of the late Walter G. and Mary M. (Bowman) Artz, and was the husband of Violet G. (Sweigart) Artz, for 63 years on June 11, 2001.  He was a member of Pine Grove Mennonite Church, Bowmansville.  Artz retired in 1982 after 45 years with Bollman Hat Company, Adamstown, where he last served as supervisor.  He was also a route salesman and deliveryman of the Reading Times Newspaper for 37 years, retiring in 1998 after building his client list to over 400 customers in the Southern Berks Region.   “Wimpy”, a name given him in childhood for his love of hamburgers and the association with the popular cartoon character, was an Army veteran of World War II.  He was a member of the Adamstown and Reinholds VFW and was an avid baseball fan, especially following the Philadelphia Phillies.  He had been a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers Farm Team and other local teams many years ago.  Surviving in addition to his wife is a daughter, Patricia A. Artz, Bowmansville.  He was preceded in death by a son, Donald LaMar Artz, in 1960, and a sister, Florence Sensenig.

The funeral will be held on Monday, December 10, 2001, at 10:00 AM in Pine Grove Mennonite Church, 1194 Reading Road, Bowmansville, PA 17507, with his pastor, The Reverend Jonathan E. Yoder, officiating.

Burial will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery, Sinking Spring, Berks County, PA.

If desired, contributions in Leon's memory may be sent to his church at the above address or to Hospice of Lancaster County, Post Office Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.