Leo Metzger

Leo Metzger, 100, North Manchester, Indiana, passed away July 15, 2021 at Timbercrest Healthcare Center in North Manchester. Leo and his twin brother, Loren, were born in Kosciusko County, Indiana on October 24, 1920 to the late Howard and Iva (Leckrone) Metzger.

Growing up on a farm with his five brothers and three sisters, Leo enjoyed driving teams of horses, saddle riding, and riding on the water wagon at grain thrashing time. During his time at Sidney High School, he played three years of varsity basketball and participated in both boys’ choir and mixed choir. After graduating from Sidney High School in 1938, he earned degrees in Math, Science, and Physical Education from Manchester College in 1942.

Leo met his future wife, Evelyn Mishler, when the young people’s group from his church, Eel River Church of the Brethren, visited the young people’s group at Spring Creek Church of the Brethren in 1936.  After they were married on January 25, 1942, Leo taught in Salem Center, Indiana, until he was drafted in 1943. He signed with Civilian Public Superior and served in upstate New York as a dairy herd improvement supervisor during World War II. He and Evelyn returned home in 1946 to Kosciusko County. Leo farmed with his brother there as well as in Whitley County for sixteen years, during which time he also taught school. In 1962, Leo and Evelyn purchased a dairy farm containing fifty Guernsey cows outside of Auburn, Indiana and continued farming and teaching in the public school system for seventeen years. He later retired and purchased a small amount of land, where he lived until moving to Timbercrest in 2001.

Leo believed strongly in the community in which he lived, volunteering for many community offices. He served on various Credit Union Boards and received recognition for serving twenty years on the DeKalb County Credit Union Board. This role afforded him the pleasure of working with similar farmers and business personnel. Leo was a member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association and a lifetime member of the Timbercrest Auxiliary. Leo was a member of North Manchester Church of the Brethren, where he thoroughly enjoyed participating in choral groups, especially the four-part harmony singing groups. He also participated in many local and district church committees.

The memory of Leo Metzger will be forever cherished by his sons, Devon (Dianne) Metzger, Healdsburg, California, Nolan Metzger, Houston, Texas, and Marlon (Pat) Metzger, Michigan; daughters, Yvonne (Gary) Rautenkranz, Shelbyville, Indiana, Ondalee (Steve) Ashleman, Salem, South Carolina; sister, Martha Long, Bradford, Ohio; eleven grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Iva Metzger; wife, Evelyn Metzger; brothers, Gail, Thurl, Maurice, Loren, and Myron Metzger; and sisters, Katherine Freed Whisler and Thelma Ganshorn.

A celebration of Leo’s life will be held at Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation following at Manchester Church of the Brethren, 1306 Beckley Street, North Manchester, Indiana. Burial will be at Ulrey Memorial Cemetery, 2507 State Road 14, Silver Lake, Indiana.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Leo Metzger, memorial contributions may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice, 7221 Engle Road, Suite 100, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804 or Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 501, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.

The family of Leo Metzger has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements. 

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