Jesse E. Metzger

Jesse E. Metzger, 81, of Syracuse, passed away early Sunday morning, August 5, 2007, at his home after a one month illness. He was born in Goshen, on January 6, 1926, to Jesse D. and Elizabeth (Speicher) Metzger.  He married Phyllis J. Prough on September 4, 1948, in Angola, Indiana.  She survives.         A lifetime resident of the area, Mr. Metzger retired from NIPSCO after 33 years of service.  He was a member of the Plymouth United Church of Christ where he had served as a moderator and as a deacon for many years.           Mr. Metzger served with the US Army in Germany and in the Battle of the Bulge.  He was a member of the American Legion Post #30 and Boy Scouts of America.           He and his wife, Phyllis vacationed for 36 years in the Florida Keys at Marathon where he enjoyed spending time fishing.  He also enjoyed living on Dewart Lake where he fished.           He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; two grandsons, Tom Coy of Millersburg and Ron Coy of Port Richey, Florida; a great-granddaughter, Kea Coy of Millersburg; two sisters, Barbara (Norm) Harris of Granger and Mary (Rocco) Barbaro of Goshen; and a brother, Raymond Metzger of Elkhart.           He was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard and Herb Metzger and a sister, Edna Stacy.           Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 7, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.             A 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 8, 2007, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  Rev. Paul Koepke and Rev. John vonLackum will officiate.           Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen, where military services will be conducted.      Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton Fire Department or Plymouth United Church of Christ.