Maxfield M. “Max” Metzger
Maxfield M. “Max” Metzger, 82, of Royal Center, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family at 12:04 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Logansport Memorial Hospital.
Born on Feb. 23, 1934, in Pipe Creek Township in Miami County, Max was the son of the late Alvin H. and Mary Margaret (Fisher) Metzger. On Nov. 26, 1954, he married JoAnn Montgomery at Sampson Air Force Base (A.F.B.) in Geneva, New York. She survives.
Max was valedictorian of his graduating high school, class of 1952, Bunker Hill High School. He also graduated magna cum laude from International Business College in 1954 and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1960.
Max served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1958 where he was a graduate of Air Force General Instructor School and served as basic trainee instructor. He was later stationed at Lowry A.F.B. in Colorado where he was in charge of military housing.
In 1967, Max, who had been a licensed funeral director with the Harrison Funeral Homes in Kewanna and Royal Center since 1960, purchased the two locations and the business was later named: Harrison-Metzger Funeral Homes. He also owned and operated Metzger & Hinshaw Monument Company for more than 40 years. He was a member of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association and received his 50-year Funeral Directors Pin in 2009.
Max formerly served as Indiana State Disaster training coordinator and was the 4th District Director. In addition, Max formerly served as Cass County Coroner and deputy coroner for 20 years.
Max was an active member of the Royal Center United Methodist Church, was on many committees and taught Sunday school. He was also a president and member of Royal Center Lions Club, past president and member of Logansport Exchange Club and past master, secretary and member of Royal Center Lodge #585, F. & A.M. He was a member of Gideon’s International. He was president of the Logansport Senior Center Board of Directors. He was an active participant of and enjoyed walking, riding on and maintaining the Panhandle Pathway. He also was past chairman of the Royal Center/Boone Township Public Library Board.
Max was a former chairman and trustee of Logansport Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, former member of Cass/Pulaski County Corrections Advisory Board and former member of Cass County Council on Aging. He also was president and member of the Royal Center Cline-Kistler Cemetery Association Advisory Board and served as sexton for many years.
Max was a former Pioneer Youth League baseball coach and enjoyed taking his team to a Cubs game each year at Wrigley Field. He was an avid fan and enthusiast of Indiana University basketball, Cubs baseball and Pioneer Jr./Sr. High School basketball and football.
Max served as judge for Pioneer High School Senior Projects and read to students at Pioneer Elementary reading program.
Max was an avid reader, enjoyed playing golf, working in his yard and listening to country music, especially Willie Nelson. He and JoAnn enjoyed square dancing for several years with the Bridge City Squares. He was a history buff and Corvette enthusiast. Max loved showing his 1996, Collector’s Edition Corvette and won the Bloomington Gold award for the car in 2001. He also enjoyed driving it, along with his 2003, 50th Anniversary Edition Corvette and his 1938 Ford pick-up truck in parades with his wife and sons. Everything Max did he did with perfection.
After selling the funeral homes in 2007, Max took care of scheduling local military rites and performed honor duties for Cass County Honor Guard. For the past several years, Max and JoAnn enjoyed wintering in Mesa, Arizona, and traveled to many places throughout the United States.
Survivors include his wife, JoAnn Metzger of Royal Center; sons: Michael M. [Dawn] Metzger of Logansport, and Kyle B. Metzger of Royal Center; six grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; six great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; two step-great-great-grandchildren; brother Dalhart [Judy] Metzger; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sister Inalee (Metzger) Brown; and granddaughter Heather M. Metzger.
Visitation was 2-7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13, at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Home, Royal Center Chapel where there was also a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Services were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 14, at the Royal Center United Methodist Church. Pastor Adriane Curtis officiated. Burial with full military rites was conducted at the Royal Center Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Royal Center United Methodist Church, Gideon’s International, Cass County Honor Guard or one’s favorite charity.
Sign the online guest register or leave a condolence for the Metzger family at: www.ransfuneralhomes.com.
(Pulaski County Journal — Nov. 16, 2016)