Henry A. Metzler

Henry Andrew Metzler, 92, of Geneva, Ohio passed away at his home on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, with his loving wife by his side. He was born June 5, 1933, in Geneva to the late Henry and Mary Metzler and graduated from Geneva High School Class of 1951. After high school, Henry served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1956 as a Sea-Bee (construction battalion) during the Korean War. On January 3, 1955, Henry married Joan Rak at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Geneva and together they have shared over 70 years of love and memories. Henry worked for TrueTemper; was a realtor for Madison Realty; co-owner of M&M Builders and owner of Henry A. Metzler and Sons Builders who together built 100+ houses in the Geneva area. He was an active member of the community and was named the Geneva Area Senior King in 2010 and received the Geneva Citizen of the Year Award in 2015. When he wasn’t working, Henry enjoyed bowling, square dancing, traveling, pitching in the Ashtabula County Men’s Church Softball league and was a lifelong woodworker who shared his knowledge with his children and grandchildren and who happily made Christmas reindeer for the St. John’s Preschoolers for many years. He was also active in his church serving as Sunday School Superintendent and was the Council Vice President and Trustee over several decades. One of Henry's passions was spending countless hours helping at the Geneva Food Pantry where he served as a volunteer for many years picking up food for delivery and distributing food to the community, always with a mantra of "Feed the People." He looked forward to getting calls from the truckers when there was food to be picked up and it never mattered the time of day, he was ready. In addition, he started the Geneva Mobile Food Pantry (Produce to People) which he was a part of until his passing. While at home, he was an avid baseball and football fan, loved watching Lawrence Welk and MASH and enjoyed mowing so much that he was part of the “happy mower” club. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Joan (Rak) Metzler; children, Cynthia (Mark) Roman, Henry J. Metzler (Shawn), Jodee (David) Downie and John (Amber) Metzler; grandchildren, Emily (Chiko) Roman, Katrina (Nathan) Ferrise, Bonnie (Scott) Alderman, Nicole (Nick) Bucci, Rikki Metzler, Jason (Elyse) Downie, Daniel (Jennifer) Downie, Ryan (Annika) Downie, Carianna Downie and Alaina Metzler and great-grandfather to 8; sister, Albina Warner. Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mary Metzler; sister, Mary Jo Metzler and brother-in-law, Lloyd Warner. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 811 South Broadway, Geneva, Ohio. Visitation will be held from 3:00pm until the time of service at 5:30pm. Christian fellowship and a meal will immediately follow the service. There will be a private burial for family with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made the Geneva Food Pantry, 505 West Main Street, Geneva, Ohio 44041 or to St. John’s Lutheran Church Sunday School, 811 South Broadway, Geneva, Ohio 44041. The family wishes to extend a special “Thank You” to Hospice of the Western Reserve and the Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission. As Henry would always say, as he grabbed the end of his measuring tape, “So Long and Keep Smiling!” Lake Erie Cremation and Funeral Services, 1500 Harpersfield Road, Geneva, Ohio assisted the family with arrangements. www.LakeErieCrematory.com

Henry A. Metzler

June 5, 1933 - July 2, 2025