Wilfrid “Boots” Metzger
Wilfrid Boots Metzger, age 79, of 5601 State Route 61 South, Shelby, died Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at his home after an year long battle with Mesothelioma Cancer.
He was born January 1, 1926 in Plymouth Twp., Crawford County, Ohio the son of the late Anthony and Amelia (Mahl) Metzger. Boots was a 1944 graduate of Shelby High School and was a Navy veteran of WWII serving in the South Pacific on the USS Guest. He retired in 1990 from Copperweld-Shelby after 28 years of service. He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Bethlehem and was an original member of the men’s choir at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Boots lived his life by the three F’s-Faith, Family and Friends. He was an advisor for Junior Achievement, was a volunteer walker for the Richland Therapeutic Riding Program and was a very faithful blood donor. Known as Mr. Fix-it, Boots could fix anything. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, baseball and football. He found great pleasure in following his grandchildren’s activities.
Boots is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Margaret Marty (McDevitt) Metzger whom he wed on October 6, 1956; his children, Louann and Rob Steiner of Mansfield, Paul and Sheila Metzger and Dave and Faye Metzger all of Shelby; 4 grandchildren, Katie Steiner, Krista Steiner, Sarah Metzger, & John Metzger; 3 sisters, Mary Toots Clemons of Shelby, Ruth Ann Nichols of Ontario, & Joannice Dolly Metzger of Maple Heights; a brother, Edward Ebbie Metzger of Shelby; sisters and brothers-in-law, Norma Metzger of Ontario, Elizabeth and Jerry Risacher & Judy McDevitt all of Mansfield, Michael and Jane McDevitt of Huron, Gary Forney of Florida; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by, a daughter, Jacqueline Ann Jackie Metzger, 2 grandsons, Andrew and Robert Steiner, 3 brothers, George, Albert and Otto Sonny Metzger, 4 sisters, Rosemary Rosie Johnson, Freida Metzger, Frances Betts Leppert, and Lucille Honey Stover.
Friends may call on Sunday, October 30, 2005 from 1-4 and 6-8 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where a Christian Wake service will be conducted at 7:45 PM. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Fr. Nick Cunningham and Fr. Gary Walters officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with military honors. Memorial expressions may be made to the Jackie Metzger Scholarship Fund or to Hospice of North Central Ohio.