Henry A. Martens

Mr. Martens died Friday, Dec. 17, 2004, at his home.

He was born Sept. 18, 1932, in Shawnee, the son of Henry and Mary Martens. He attended school in Shawnee.

Mr. Martens served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He started his career as a Manor Bread route salesman. He later became a car salesman and partner at Beck-Dennis Chevrolet in Olathe, and an assistant manager at Guy Pine Chrysler-Plymouth in Mission.

In 1963 he moved to Leavenworth and purchased a Chrysler-Plymouth franchise, which he owned for more than 30 years. He later owned and operated automobile dealerships with his five sons in Leavenworth, Platte City, Mo., Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Warsaw, Mo. He and his wife also owned a Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership in Leavenworth.

He was a member of the Lions Club in Olathe, and the Elks, American Legion and Association of the U.S. Army in Leavenworth. He was a lifetime member of the Belgian-American Club of Greater Kansas City and sponsored military officers from Belgium who attended Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. He had been a pilot for many years.

Mr. Martens married Shirley L. Pfeifer on Dec. 1, 1951, in Olathe. She survives, of the home.

Other survivors include five sons, Tom and Jeff, both of Leavenworth, Dale, Lee’s Summit, Mo., Tony, Platte City, Mo., and Hank, Joplin, Mo.; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call after noon today at Davis Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 tonight. A rosary will be said at 7 p.m.

The family suggests memorials to church, sent in care of the funeral chapel, 531 Shawnee St., Leavenworth 66048.