Willis W. Metz

Willis W. “Willie” Metz, age 86, of Jackson Center, Ohio passed away at 3:32 a.m. Monday, January 20, 2020 at Lima Memorial Hospital in Lima, Ohio.

He was born in Dinsmore Township in Ohio January 9, 1934, to the late Charles and Sadie (Herring) Metz. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Becky Ann Grillot; two brothers, Roger Metz and Norman Metz; sisters-in-law, Sue Metz and Carolyn Dicke and a brother-in-law, Dave Klopfenstein.

On August 24, 1957, Willie married Lois Ann Schmidt in New Knoxville, Ohio and she survives along with their two sons, Gary (Wanda Wildermuth) Metz of Maplewood, Ohio and Bruce (Kim) Metz of Jackson Center; a son-in-law, Andrew (Lori Counts) Grillot; six grandchildren, Jared Wildermuth, Melissa Martin, Cara (John Wilt) Alexander, Jodi (Adam) Alig, Amy (Kurt) Egbert, and Vicki Grillot; seven great-grandchildren, Colin Wildermuth, Karter Martin, Kampbel Martin, Norah Alexander, Hugh Wilt, Addison Egbert, and Leah Alig; a sister, Carol Klopfenstein; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Carolyn Metz, Ken Dicke, Ralph and Joann Shroyer, and Dale and Sandy Kremer and several nieces and nephews.

An active member of St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church, Willie had worked as a stockman at Copeland Corporation for nearly forty three years. He was a member of the Jackson Center Athletic Boosters for many years and he and his wife were honored as Fans of the Year. Willie mowed side ditches for the Jackson Township Trustees for seventeen years and served as president of the Senior Bowling League. He was an avid Cincinnati Reds fan who enjoyed woodworking, farming, gardening, camping, fishing and playing dartball. He most especially loved attending the sporting events in which his kids and grandkids participated.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2020 at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home in Jackson Center and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 24, 2020 at the St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church in Jackson Center, where Pastor David Sanders will officiate the funeral service at 10:30 a.m.

Burial will follow the funeral service in the St. Jacob’s Lutheran Cemetery.

The arrangements are in the care of the staff of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home in Jackson Center.

D.S.