Lee Linville

Lee Roy Linville, 75, of Bellefontaine, Ohio is living at his residence.

He was born November 22, 1936 in Bellefontaine, to the late Roy Harvey and Juanita Irene Linville.

He is survived by wife Martha Stegal Linville of Bellefontaine. Lee and Martha were married in Henry County, Commonwealth of Kentucky March 30, 1991. Surviving is a son, Gregory Scott (Linda) Linville of Pinehurst, North Caroina; a son David Alan (Teresa) Linville of Dublin, Ohio; a daughter Bonnie Lynn Linville of Bellefontaine; a sister Joyce Irene (Gary) Lees of Gold Canyon, Arizona; grandchildren, Dana (Ryan) Mullins, Michael LeVan III, Alexandra and Michael Marotti, Taylor and Connor Linville, and three great-grandchildren.

Lee graduated from Bellefontaine High School in 1954. He attended Ohio University from 1954 to 1956. Lee enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1956. He graduated as an Honor Graduate during Marine Basic Training and was promoted to Private First Class. He served the remainder of his two-year enlistment with the 1st Marine Corps Division at Camp Pendleton, California achieving the rank of Corporal. He was assigned to the H. & S. Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines where he was responsible for the delivery of all mail and classified documents within this battalion.

After his service in the Marine Corps, Lee worked in the construction business with his father in the Roy Linville Excavating Company. Lee and Roy constructed the concrete foundations for the new 3,300-seat Dodds Stadium at Bellefontaine High School in 1968. Later on Lee worked as a private construction contractor, managed Logan Par 3 in 1975 which was formerly on US 68 North, worked as a Prudential Insurance salesman and manager from 1978 to 1986. His working career culminated as a City of Bellefontaine Maintenance Department employee from 1990 until his retirement in 2001. Since 2001, he has worked part-time on the grounds crew at Tree Links Golf Course in Bellefontaine.

Lee’s civic duty was evidence by many assignments and service in the community In 1964 while serving as the president of the Jaycees, the organization worked to raise $8,000 of the $24,000 cost of the Logan County Youth Center and coordinated the annual Ford Motor Company Punt, Pass, and Kick Contest.

Lee served on the Bellefontaine City School Board from 1971 to 1975 with the last two years holding the office of President. Significant contributions of the School Board during this period include the detailed planning and coordination as a result of the Ohio Fire Marshal condemning the old High School for safety violations. Because of the age and condition of the old High School and the high cost of repairs, the School Board was forced to tear down the non-compliant part of the school.

Lee was very active in the Bellefontaine Elks Lodge No. 132. He served as Exalted Ruler in 1975 where the lodge won the state Ritualistic Contest for the first time. All seven local lodge officers won their respective chairs for all-state honors with Lee as the coach. At the time, this was only the fourth time the feat had been accomplished. During his tenure as Exalted Ruler, the Ohio Elks raised $61,000 for the treatment of cerebral palsy and $115,000 for youth activities. Lee served a second term as the Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler in 1991.

Lee enjoyed fishing with his family in Ontario, Canada, golfing with his friends and sons, playing bridge and gin rummy card games, and cheering for “The OSU Buckeyes.” Lee was a founding member of Cherokee Golf Club in 1969. Lee was an original “grill master” who always enjoyed dinners with family and friends. He will be sorely missed.

The staff of the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine handled the arrangements and a graveside service will be Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at the Highland Memorial Cemetery in West Liberty with Military Honors by the Logan County Veterans Honor Guard. There will be a visitation for friends and family Wednesday, October 24, 2012 from 5 to 8 P.M. at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine.

The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to: Universal Home Health & Hospice 701 S. Main St. Bellefontaine, OH 43311