"Beth, I was out of town when Rick passed I am so sorry. I'm sure he put up a fight till the end. There was only one Rick!!! A lot of fun memories from Mckinnie Tap. You are in my thoughts and prayers ?. Sending a hug ?"
In loving memory of
Richard P. Mettler
November 9, 1944 - March 26, 2018
Richard P. Mettler, of Albion, Ind., died Monday, March 26, 2018 following a three-year battle with cancer. Rick was the fourth child of R. Donald and Carroll (Bartholomy) Mettler, born November 9, 1944, in Fort Wayne. He attended Our Lady of the Lake Seminary at Lake Wawasee and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1963. He attended the Fort Wayne School of Art prior to enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in January of 1964. Rick served in the 1st Marine Division FMF, the "Magnificent" 7th Marine Regiment in Vietnam from May 1965 to June 1966; he was honorably discharged in 1968. He is survived by his wife, Beth McMahon. They were married on August 19, 1972, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fort Wayne.
Following his Marine Corps service, Rick worked at Fort Wayne Spring Service, Diamond Enterprises, and Zumbrun Construction. He attended Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in Troy, OH on the G.I. Bill then went to (ESP) Engineered Structural Products until 1982. Rick was with Lawrence Construction for 24 years, retiring in November 2006. He was certified by the American Welding Society D1.1 Structural Welding - Steel.
Rick was easily recognized in area bars and taverns by his great grin and trademark beard (in the shape of his welding helmet). He never met a stranger - he was easy-going and hard pushed to say a bad word about anyone. Rick enjoyed riding motorcycles when he was a young man, annoying the neighbors on Florida Drive with his early models. He went deer hunting as a boy with his father and brothers, and made his last climb into a tree stand in the fall of 2016, with his oxygen tank. Rick and Beth enjoyed fishing and being anywhere near water, retiring to their dream home on High Lake in 2006. They bred, raised, and showed Hungarian Vizslas. Gypsy, Countess II, Zeke, Annie, Ruby, and Seeker were exceptional dogs and included in family gatherings.
Rick could fix anything; and if he couldn't, it wasn't worth fixing. His gifts of plant stands, lawn ornaments, and toilet paper and log holders cut from I-beams and shaped from 1/2" round iron are cherished family heirlooms.
Wherever he was, there was music - from Santo & Johnny to Pasty Cline to Sarah Brightman, Blues to Gospel - and he loved hearing Beth's wonderful singing.
He is also survived by siblings Michael, Stephen, Connie, Anne Marie, and Meg Mettler. Rick was the Favorite Uncle of Jennifer Mettler Vincent, Stephen P. Mettler, Scott Fedewa, Elizabeth Mettler, Brian Carroll Mettler, Corey Mettler, Donald Mettler, Jeffrey Mettler, Jonathan Fedewa, Abigail and Emily Mettler Pfister, R. Jacob and Nicholas Steffen; and great-uncle to 24 Mettler descendants. He was equally cherished by his "out-laws:" Kathy Sharp, Kathy Weidl Mettler and Dick Pfister. Also, sisters-in-law Anne McMahon Dickerson and Lynn McMahon McClaine; nephews Todd and Drew Dickerson; four great-nieces and -nephews; two great-great-nieces; and one great-great-nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents; and parents-in-law Cyril M. "Zeke" and Doris (Parnell) McMahon, of Montgomery Co.
Rick will additionally be greatly missed by his many friends, bar buddies, and High Lake and Central Drive neighbors. Beth and the Mettler family are very grateful to Debbie Tucker, RN of Parkview-Whitley Hospice for her care and comfort during the past year.
Visitation is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 30, 2018 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home and his burial will follow at Covington Memorial Gardens. Memorial gifts may be given in his memory to the Honor Flight or Parkview Whitley Home Health Care and Hospice. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences.
Tributes
"So sorry about Rick's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all his siblings and the entire family. Sincere Sympathy, Dick and Sharon Miller"
"May each of you find courage to face tomorrow as you rest in the knowledge that we truly care about each of your needs and that we will walk beside you in your journey of grief. Randy Grimes, Brett Gerber and the Staff of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home "
"There will only be one Rick Mettler! He had a unique, fun, loving and kind personality!. And Beth, that was the best obituary I have ever read. It brought tears to my eyes. We are so sad that we can't be there with you at this time. Know you will remain in our prayers. Tom & Sandy Doyle"
"Thoughts and prayers to Beth. A great friend at St. Judes and C.C. Mike Todd"
"Hey, "Ricky." You were the best brother-law. I just know that you and my dad are up in heaven sitting at some fishing hole. I remember your toast to my dad after he died: "Here's to the Man who made the fish, and here's to the man who taught us how to catch them." Ditto, Rick. "
"Ricky was a high school classmate, and a joy to be around. Like many of us, Rick was ornrey and enjoyed a good time. Even when that was not the desired behavior. He was kind, well meaning and will be missed by anyone who knew him. Even if only for a moment. Rest in Peace, Rick, the race has been won. Joe Tonsing. CCHS 1963"
"Beth our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rick you will be missed our dear friend. love you Randy and Shelia Jahn "
"I will really miss Rick. He made me laugh. I'll always remember the first time I met him. He was riding his mower down the street and I stopped him. I said, "Are you Rick?" ( I knew it was because of my dad), He shook his head yes. Then I said..."Are you the one that has the music up so loud?" Oh the look on his face, but again he said "yes". I said "Well turn it up, I can't hear it all that well down here." He bout fell off the mower laughing. Gave the the thumbs up. and off he went. Always looked forward to the Sunday Morning Music. Later Rick. "
"We will always remember uncle Ricky! I'm so sorry for your loss. We have a lot of great memories!"
"Thoughts and prayers. We love you."
"Our love for High Lake and the community and friends there was created there by the kind, welcoming spirit and community that Rick built around him. His presence will be missed by everyone on the lake because Rick hosted our Sunday music service from his sound system in the garage every Sunday morning. The silence on Sunday morning now will forever bring Rick back to our hearts and minds. We will miss you dear friend, and to you Beth we love you are here to support and lift you up and we the residence of High Lake are forever changed because of your love. Sincerely yours, Rhonda and Jim Jackson"