Merrill Metzger

Merrill loved his family, and he was a wonderful husband, dad, and grandpa. He was married to the love of his life, Theresa Metzger, for 65 years. Merrill was an avid sports fan, especially watching his grandsons. He officiated football, basketball, and baseball for 25 years at high school and summer league levels. Merrill was also an avid Ontario Warriors and Cleveland Browns fan. Merrill was a Navy Veteran, serving proudly in WWII. He returned and worked for the Railroads as a Master Mechanic for New York Central, which become Conrail where he later retired. Merrill took 16 transfers with the Railroad throughout New England, Ohio, Indiana and New York.

Merrill is survived by his wife, Theresa Metzger; two daughters, Sue (Bruce) Weirich, and Sheryl (Brian) Coll; seven grandchildren, Kevin Weirich, Travis Weirich, Brian (Lauren) Weirich, Ryan Coll, Matt Coll, Courtney Coll, and Cody Coll; great-grandchildren, Autumn, Tenley, River, and Asher Weirich; brother, Ronald Metzger; sister, Sharon Green; brother-in-law, Lyle Woolley; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Merrill was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Sandra Woolley, and sister-in-law, Linda Metzger.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington Springmill Rd. A funeral ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 10:30 am at St. Josephs Catholic Church. An additional hour of visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am prior to the service. Burial will follow at St. Josephs Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors provided by U.S. Navy and Richland County Joint Veterans Squad. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Catholic Church or the Richland County Humane Society.