Francis L. Metzger, 96, of Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, Indiana, died at 6:22 pm, Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Peabody. He was born November 6, 1920 in Woodford County, Illinois to Charles L. and Ruth Mae (Bayles) Metzger.
Francis was a 1938 graduate of Somerset High School. He married W. Gwendolene “Krickett” Powell in Westfield, Indiana on December 27, 1941; she died April 10, 2001. He then married Mary (Robinson) Radabaugh in Wabash on September 14, 2003; she died April 14, 2010. He was a WWII US Army Air Corp veteran and was participated in the WWII Honor Flight on May 8, 2013. Francis was a farmer 20 years and raised registered black angus cattle, worked at the Peru Production Credit Association 20 years, retiring in 1983, and worked for UAP Crop Mate in Urbana. He was a member of the Friends Church, the Kiwanis Club, and the American Legion Post 15, all of Wabash. He was a lifetime Wabash County resident, and lived at Peabody since August 2012.
He is survived by three children, Nancy (Tom) Frank and Don (Bev) Radabaugh, both of Wabash, and Margie (Leon) More of Columbia City, Indiana, two daughters-in-law, Becky Metzger of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Nancy Radabaugh of Wabash; 19 grandchildren, Shelly (Aaron) Uribe of Fishers, Indiana, Kimberly (Gary II) Treska of Lagro, LeeAnn ( Tom) Grizzle of Andrews, Trent (Janice) Worden of Elgin, Illinois, Matthew (Becca) Metzger of Fort Wayne, Trisha (Kyle) Niccum of Wabash, Tina (Ashu) Menkir of Fort Wayne, Tyanna (Thad) Haines of LaFontaine, Rick Radabaugh of Fishers, Rhonda (John) Horton of Wexford, Pennsylvania, Roger (Sheree) Radabaugh of Vancouver, British Columbia, Lynette (Brian) Bridegam, Brady Wright, and Brian (Robin) More, all of Columbia City, Renae (Brad) Jordan of Westfield, Regina (Ryan) Wilson of Roanoke, Indiana, Jodi (Kirk) Short of Wabash, Chad (Carissa) Kirkpatrick of Marion, and Josh (Kimberly) Kirkpatrick of Wabash; 46 great grandchildren, and five great great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents, two sons Kenneth Metzger and Jerry Radabaugh, daughter Carol Kirkpatrick, great granddaughter Cora Kirkpatrick, brother, Harold C. Metzger, and two sisters, Velda L. Stout and Nova McClure.
Funeral services will be 10:30 am Thursday November 17, 2016 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Alex Falder officiating. Burial will be in Converse Cemetery, Converse. Friends may call 3-7 pm, Wednesday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are Wabash Friends Church or Peabody Caring Circle.