She attended Lincoln School of Commerce and worked as a Secretary and Personnel Supervisor in Lincoln, NE for several years. She met Ernest Metzger when he came to Eagle Methodist Church as a student minister, and she was the church pianist. They were married November 20, 1940 at the Eagle Methodist Church. In September 1942, they moved to Evanston, IL where Ernie attended Seminary and Melva worked as a Personnel Supervisor at a training films business.
She was one of many wives whose husbands were in Seminary, and who were presented with a PHTS (Put Husband Through Seminary) degree. When Ernie went into the U.S. Navy as a Chaplain in 1945, Melva accompanied him to his many assignments in the Navy and Marine Corps. Some required lengthy separations while he served aboard ship including the aircraft carrier USS Hancock. They had 23 homes in their many moves in the U.S. and overseas.
Melva was active in church work and helped in many Navy Chapel Guilds. Melva and Ernie moved from Virginia Beach to Mesa in 1977. They were active members of Velda Rose United Methodist Church. Melva's cremains will be with her husband's in Velda Rose Memorial Garden. She was a gracious hostess and loved to entertain. Melva loved being a Mother to their two daughters and two grandchildren.
She is survived by daughters Christine Bledsoe of Woodstock, GA and Kathleen Metzger of Mesa, granddaughters Melissa Tully and son Brayden of Woodstock, GA, and Michelle (Robert) Hagins of Clearwater, FL. Her husband, Ernie, preceded her in death May 15, 1995.
Memorial gifts may be made to Velda Rose UMC, 5540 E. Main St., Mesa, 85205 or Eagle UMC, 704 S. 4th St., Eagle, NE 68347. A memorial service will be held on June 27, 10am at Velda Rose UMC.
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