Leon Mantey

Leon “Buddy” Mantey passed away on April 16, 2021 at Baylor Scott and White in Brenham at the age of 84 years old.

Leon and his twin sister, Leona were born on January 10,1937 at home in Gay Hill, Texas to Steve and Lydia (Haarmeyer) Mantey. Leon was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Somerville, Texas. Leon attended schools at Charlesville and later attended school in Burton. Leon was united in marriage to Joyce (Schlabach) Mantey on May 12, 1957. This union blessed the couple with two children , Jo Ann and Clinton.

From early childhood, Leon learned to farm the family farm in the Rehburg Community that his family owned along with his siblings and later inherited that piece of property from his parents. Leon learned all about gardening, plowing, shredding, and working the animals in which he enjoyed doing up until he couldn’t anymore. Leon loved being in the pasture alongside his cows.

Shortly after his marriage to Joyce, Leon and Joyce moved to Houston to pursue a career in welding. Then in 1959 Leon and Joyce moved back to Brenham where they operated a cafe in downtown Brenham. From 1961 to 1972 Leon worked for Wollie Radio and T.V. as a service technician that was operated by his brother-in-law, Wollie Schlabach. In 1972 Leon then worked for Brenham Appliance and T.V. until 1976. Then in 1976 he purchased the service part from Brenham Appliance and T.V. and opened his own business known as Mantey’s Appliance Service in downtown Brenham. This was a well known family-owned business where we worked side by side with his wife, Joyce and his son, Clinton for 43 years. In 2019 Leon decided to retire at the age of 82 and sold the building to Legacy Real Estate.

Leon enjoyed spending time with his family and enjoyed family bar-b-ques on the weekends where he would play cards and dominoes. Leon and Joyce were blessed with five grandchildren and three great-grandsons in which he loved spending time with every chance he could get. His grandkids loved to hear the stories that we had to tell from his days.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Steve and Lydia (Haarmeyer) Mantey, his wife, Joyce (Schlabach) Mantey, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law: Walter and Hilma Schlabach, Daughter and Son-in-law, Jo Ann and Roger Buchtien, Brother: Wilburn Mantey, Brothers and Sister-in-laws: Steve and Joyce Mantey, Darvin and Mary Mantey, Arthur and Bernice Mantey, twin sister and brother-in-law: Leona and Marvin “Monk” Lee Roehling, Nephews: Jason Mantey, Mark Mantey,Carey Mantey, and Don Meier, Brother-in-law: Sammy Schlabach, Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law: Wollie and Esther Schlabach.

Leon is survived by his Son and Daughter-in-law: Clinton and Terry Mantey of Brenham Grandchildren: Melania and Tracy Lehde of Brenham, Tim Mantey of Brenham, Eric and Lindsey Buchtien of Bellville, Quint and Shelby Mantey of Carmine, Jennifer and Steven Poe of Rosenburg. Great-Grandsons: Kyle Lehde and special friend Samantha Rogers of Brenham, Carson Lehde of Brenham, and Hudson Mantey of Carmine, Family pets: Tuff and Paisley Mantey, Brother and Sister-in-law: Fred “Bobe” and Joan Mantey of Kenney, Sister-in-law:Beverly Schlabach of Brenham,and Lillian Mantey of Yoakum. Leon is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to say Thank you to Dr. Jon Bode and the staff at Brenham Family Practice, along with Texas Home Health Staff, and the staff at Scott and White Hospital Brenham for all of the wonderful care each entity had given him along the way.

Memorials can be given in his memory to Texas Home Health and to Rocky Creek Volunteer Fire Department where he was a supporter of this department for several years.

Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Memorial Oaks Chapel; Pastor Katrina Walthers will officiate. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery in Somerville.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 19, 2021 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Memorial Oaks Chapel.

Pallbearers will be: Tim Mantey, Quint Mantey, Eric Buchtien, Tracy Lehde, Kyle Lehde, Carson Lehde, Steven Poe, Darvin “Lee” Mantey.

Honorary pallbearers will be Hudson Mantey, Daniel Konieczny, Lance Lehde, and all surviving nieces and nephews