Commander Leon E. L. Mathwick US Navy (Ret), 93, died April 5, 2015, at Fairhaven in Whitewater.
CDR Mathwick had been a Whitewater resident since retiring from the Navy in 1970. He was an active parishioner of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Whitewater for over 40 years.
Leon was preceded in death by his dearly beloved wife, Marie (Heier). They had a happy fruitful life together for 64 years – she passed in 2008. Marie is buried in Calvary Cemetery Athens where he will join her.
Born to Leonard and Erna (Hanke) Mathwich on Sept. 30, 1921. Leon grew up on a dairy farm outside Wausau in Hamburg Township near “Little Chicago.” Never much for farming, he focused on academics graduating from Wausau High School at age 16. He then entered Marathon Normal (UW-Marathon) where he met Marie, also a student and later a teacher.
After teaching in rural one-room K-8 school-houses for two years, and with the outbreak of World War II he signed up for the Naval Aviation Cadet Training Program. In 1944 he was commissioned Ensign, and immediately married Marie. Shortly after the wedding he was shipped off to the Pacific Theater of the War. He would fly the Dauntless Dive Bomber, and Avenger Torpedo Bomber along with various Sea Planes including the Kingfisher Scout Plane. It was while flying a Kingfisher that he crashed into the Sea.
After freeing himself from the plane and reaching the surface, his first thought was “so this is what saltwater taste like.” A Wisconsin boy’s first swim in the Ocean.
At the end of the War he was one of only a few aviators selected to continue service in Naval Aviation. This was now his career, it would take him and Marie all over the world as they raised their five children — John, LCDR James USN (CDR Cynthia USN), Jane (William) Racko, Leon Jr., Mark (Catherine).
Upon completing his Naval service, which included commanding P2V Neptune squadron – VP 56, he was an active residential building contractor. He erected 44 homes in the greater Whitewater/Janesville area. He also returned to school earning a BA in Art History from UW-Whitewater. He and Marie made many trips to Europe spending much of their time visiting Art Galleries and Museums. In their later years they enjoyed wintering in Arizona – Go Brewers!
Leon was a lifelong Wisconsin Progressive in the spirit of Robert La Follette, Gaylord Nelson, and Russ Feingold.
He was not afraid of change, which his life very much reflected, a fearless man, and morally courageous servant of God.
I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
2nd Timothy
4:7
Leon will be missed by his children; and grandchildren, Major Lindsay Mathwick USMC, Trevor and Andrew Mathwick; step-grandchildren, Monica Bayley and Colleen (Ezra) Harrington; and great step-granddaughter, Neala Bayley; brother, Vernon (Mae) Mathwich; sister, Joyce (Jerry) Pagel; sister-in-laws, Marcella (Sally) Sobie, Henrietta (Honey)-(Harvey) Klumpian, Norma Heier, Delores Heier; also many nieces and nephews.
Leon was especially proud that all his children, and grandchildren (as of next year) will have graduated university with Bachelor degrees—several with advanced degrees. He was always the teacher, back in that one room school house.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Delores (Raymond) Orhmundt and Ruth (Elroy) Plautz.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Kenneth Kidd of the Dean Clinic, Whitewater, and the staff at Fairhaven Senior Services for their help and support in this difficult time. We especially want to thank Anne Douglas of Visiting Angels.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1225 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI with Rev. Mark Niehaus celebrating.
Burial with Military Rites will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Athens, at 1 p.m. on Friday.
Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday at the church until the time of the Mass.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Whitewater.
The Nitardy Funeral home, Whitewater is assisting the family, www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.
