Roy Metzger

Roy Edward Metzger was born October 6, 1932 on a farm near Larchwood, IA, the son of Fred and Karoline (Knobloch) Metzger and the youngest of 14 children. He attended Larchwood Township No. 1 country school through the 8th grade and then went on to graduate from Lester High School. On March 30, 1951 he was united in marriage to Evelyn Moser, also from rural Larchwood. Roy and Evelyn were baptized as a profession of their faith in Jesus Christ and became lifelong members of the Apostolic Christian Church. They farmed and operated a Jersey dairy north of Lester, Iowa and Roy worked at various other jobs including time with the railroad. In 1981, they moved to Bloomfield, Iowa. There, among other things, they planted and managed an apple orchard. Roy passed away on October 6, 2023 on his 91st birthday. Roy was always a hard worker, but he took time to smell the roses. He enjoyed being outdoors whether caring for any variety of animals, cutting and splitting firewood, gardening, and whenever possible, fishing. He had an aptitude for rock collecting and lapidary work and he passed on his talent of winemaking to his posterity. Countless games of cards around the kitchen table made for many happy memories. In later years he enjoyed gathering and cracking walnuts. Roy’s greatest gift was his genuine interest in other people, and he never knew a stranger. He was quick to help anyone in need. His children learned by his example to be humble and to esteem others higher than themselves. His children and grandchildren were especially dear to him, and he rarely turned down the opportunity to care for a baby. Visits and calls from his extended family- nieces and nephews- always brought him great joy and he cherished spending time with his church family. He is survived by nine children; Debra Metzger of Bloomfield, Judy Getz of Washington, IL, Patsy (Lee) Esslinger of Hanna City, IL, Audrey (Bruce) Messner of West Bend, IA, Roy Metzger, Jr. (Eileen) of Hastings, MN, Ben (Patrice) Metzger of Hot Springs, SD, Dan Metzger of West Bend, IA, Angela (Jeffrey) Birkner of Bloomfield, and Lana (Mark) Spencer of Burlington, IA. Also left to cherish his memory are 24 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lydiann Wyss and Pearline Streitmatter both of Washington, IL; two brothers-in-law, Russell Wuthrich of Bloomfield and Franklin Moser of Larchwood, IA; sister-in-law, Janet Wysong of Hills, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn, of 72 years; eight brothers, Ernest, Wilhelm, Paul, Jacob, Elmer, Emil, Eli, and Fredrick; and three sisters, Emma Meyer, Freida Mogler, and Karoline Wuthrich. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at the Bloomfield Apostolic Christian Church. Burial will be at the Bloomfield Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery. Visitation with family present to greet friends will be at the church on Monday from 3-5:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. A memorial has been established to Good Samaritan Society Hospice of Ottumwa. Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield is in charge of arrangements.

Roy Metzger

October 6, 1932 - October 6, 2023