Henry J. Metzger, age 94, of Highland, passed away Saturday, August 15 in his home. Funeral services for 94 year-old Henry J. Metzger will be Friday, August 21, at 10:00 a.m., in the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Highland. Burial will be in Highland City Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday, August 20, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland and Friday, from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Highland Home Association or the American Cancer Society.
He was born on Friday, September 24, 1920, in Highland, IL, the son of John G. and Augusta J. (nee Gantner) Metzger.
On Saturday, January 25, 1947, he married Ivy Eileen Metzger (nee Hurley) who passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 1995.
He was a member of Evangelical United Church of Christ, Highland, IL; (Consistory 2 terms and served as Vice Pres.) VFW Post 5694-Highland; Highland Rotary Club (President 1969-1970), Paul Harris Fellow, member since 1964 with perfect attendance; Highland Home Assoc. (Past President for 23 years, on the board for 33 yrs.); Kaskaskia College (Curriculum Advisory Committee); Private Industry Council of Southwest Illinois (Representing Madison and Bond County); Chamber of Commerce-Highland (Past President); Chamber of Commerce-Greenville (Board of Directors and Chairman of Nominating Committee); Greenville Investment Club (Since 1973 and President in 2002); Illinois Retail Merchants Assoc. (over 40 years); Greenville Commercial Club.
Mr. Metzger was born at Bond County, IL, 6 miles East of Highland. He graduated from Highland High School in 1938. In high school, he participated in wrestling, track, softball, FFA, and was a livestock judge at the University of Illinois. In August of 1942, he was drafted into the U S Army and served with the Transportation Corps. with the 11th Port Headquarters Company in Rummney and Hereford, England. He participated in the Normandy Beach invasion. He was discharged at Camp Stoneman, Calif. in Oct. 1945. He married Ivy Eileen Hurley in Hoboken, New Jersey, and they moved to Sharon, Penn., where he worked for Westinghouse Corp., Jewel Tea Company, and then for the May Company from 1950 to 1960. In 1960, he returned to Highland and worked for Harris Furniture Store. When the store was sold to Durvardo Furniture, he was its store manager until 1973. He opened Metzger’s Home Furnishings, Inc., in Greenville, IL in 1973 until its closing in February 2009. He enjoyed the furniture business and considered it a vocation and advocation. He also donated many, many hours of his time to his communities.
Survivors include:
Son – Terry J. (Fiancée Sharon Head) Metzger, Highland, IL
Daughter – Susan M. (Stephen) Weiss, Chandler, AZ
Grandchild – Simon J. Weiss, Mountain View, CA
Grandchild – Sarah M. (Jason) Kelly, Scottsdale, AZ
Great Grandchild – Connor J. Kelly, Scottsdale, AZ
Great Grandchild – Carter J. Kelly, Scottsdale, AZ
Sister – Selma M. Warnecke, Highland, IL
Sister In-law – Edith Metzger, Smithboro, IL
Brother – Elmer (Betty L.B.) Metzger, Highland, IL
He was preceded in death by:
Father – John George Metzger (Died 7/25/1983)
Mother – Augusta “Gussie” J. Metzger, nee Gantner (Died 11/17/1999)
Wife – Ivy Eileen Metzger, nee Hurley (Died 2/28/1995)
Brother – Calvin Metzger (Died 10/2/2013)
Daughter-in-law – Joyce M. Metzger (Died 3/7/2000)
Brother In-law – Eldo Warnecke (Died 4/6/2003)
Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home
1501 Ninth at Lemon Street
Highland, IL 62249
618-654-2133
