John N. Metzger

John N. Metzger, age 80, lifelong Shelby Settlement resident, died Saturday, October 12, 2013 at his home.
He was born February 28, 1933 in Shelby the son of the late Clement and Mae (Sutter) Metzger. John graduated in 1951 from Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He was a Korean War veteran serving in the U.S. Army 2nd Amphibious Support Brigade. John was a member of the Shelby American Legion. In 1998, he retired from ArcelorMittal in Shelby after 33 years of service. Farming was also an important part of John’s life and even after his retirement he enjoyed helping at Niese Farms. John was an active member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Bethlehem, where he took great pride in maintaining and caring for the parish grounds and any necessary maintenance. He was an usher, lector, Eucharistic minister and had been a member of the parish council numerous times.
John was a hard worker and enjoyed gardening and anything outdoors. An avid planter of trees, he planted hundreds of trees around the longtime family homestead. John was a talented individual who could build, fabricate, invent or fix anything, probably missing his calling as a mechanical engineer.
John was a wonderful husband, dad, and grandfather deeply loved and admired by his family. A pillar of strength for his family and a man who portrayed family values by his example. He will be deeply missed and forever in their hearts.
He is survived by his wife: Alice (Biglin) Metzger, whom he wed on August 27, 1955; his children: Steve (Kim) Metzger of Crestline; Julie (Roger) Finnegan of Tiro; Edward (Andrea) Metzger of Slidell, LA; Sheila (Steve) Vogt of Crestline, Vince (Amy) Metzger of Mason, Mitchell (Lynn) Metzger of Ashland; 22 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; 2 brothers: Joe (Lynne) Metzger of Marion and Jim (Janice) Metzger of Chardon; 4 sisters: Lucy (Mark) Rietschlin of Shelby; Sr. Celine (Agnes) Metzger, HM of Villa Maria, PA; Rosemary (Carl) Keller of Shelby; Loretta Paskert of Brooklyn, OH; 2 sisters-in-law: Louann Metzger of Shelby and Pat Metzger of California. He was preceded in death by 6 siblings: Hubert Metzger, Carl Metzger, Leo Metzger, Fr. Clement Metzger, Nellie Young, and an infant brother, Carl Joseph Metzger.
Family and friends are welcome on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where the rosary will be recited at 7:45 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Bethlehem Shelby Settlement with Father Michael Geiger officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with military honors conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the Sacred Heart Church Maintenance Fund.
To leave a condolence or to share a memory with the Metzger family, please visit
Alice and familuy
So very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with all of you
Love, Ann and family
Dear Sheila and Family,
We were so saddened to hear of your loss. I know your family is a strong one and will support each other through this terrible time. You will be in our thoughts.
Kim and Joe Polito, Crestline
Keeping you all in my heart and prayers!
I am so sad to hear of Uncle John’s passing. I will always think of him as a quiet, strong and faithful man, totally devoted to all of you. May he rest in peace.
Our deepest sympathy
Julie and family,
We are so sorry to hear about your dad. That a wonderful person he was. Ernie and I will keep you in our prayers at this difficult time. He will be greatly missed by all of knew him. May God give you peace and comfort to get through.
Love you guys,
Deb and Ernie
Our deepest sympathies to all of John’s family–wife, children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time, and will continue in the days and weeks ahead. May he now enjoy the delights and peace of Heaven—after all of his hard work on this earth! Tom and Judy Korbas
The Catholic Campus Ministry at Ashland University wishes to express our deepest condolences to the Metzger family on the passing of John.
Eternal Rest Grant on to him, Oh Lord, & may perpetual light shine upon him.
-Amen
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Church just won’t be the same. Our prayers go out to you. “Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.” ~Author Unknown
We are thinking of John’s family,may you have wonderful memories to share with family and friends.Our sympathy and prayers for everyone.
We live to experience life and all it’s majestic wonders, to experience living in the light and under the majesty of God while showing others the way by example. I’m sure your husband, dad and grand dad was welcomed in heaven with open arms and is now celebrating a life well done in the eyes and arms of God
My prayers are with you and your family
prayers to you and your family at such a sad time
To Alice and Family,
On behalf of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, I would like to express our sincere condolences on the death of your husband, father and grandfather. John will be remembered in my prayers as you go through the process of grieving a loved one.
May our Lord, in His infinite goodness welcome John into everlasting life.
Blessings,
Brother Jim
and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart