Harry B. Metzler

Harry B. Metzler Jr., loving husband of Ruth (Murtha) Metzler for 75 years, died suddenly on Thursday June 3, 2021 at the age of 99 at Lake Port Square Inn Assisted Living located in Leesburg, FL. Harry was born on May 27, 1922 in New York City, NY to Harry Sr. and Loretta (Eilers) Metzler. The Star, a newspaper in New Jersey, provided a great review of Harry's life in a February 28, 1962 article announcing his appointment to fill a seat on the Hackettstown, NJ Council. "He graduated from Netcong High School and was employed at Picatinny Arsenal" (where he met his beloved wife Ruth) "before entering the Army in 1942. Metzler served overseas with the Army Signal Corps and later with the field artillery of the 79th division". He served in Central Europe, Normandy, northern France, and Rhineland. "He returned to Picatinny after leaving the service in 1945 and became an apprentice in a funeral home business in Englewood. He was associated with a Dover funeral home for about five years." Harry graduated from the McAllister School of Mortuary Science and became licensed as a mortician in 1952. This led to Harry opening his own funeral homes in Hackettstown, NJ and Great Meadows, NJ. The article continued on to say that he was a member of the Official Board of Trinity Methodist Church, a charter member and lion tamer of the Hackettstown Lions Club, immediate past master of the Musconetcong Lodge of the F&AM, Stanhope and a member of the Lakeland Post of the V.F.W., Netcong. Upon retiring to Mt. Dora, FL and then to Hawthorne at Leesburg, friends and neighbors soon learned of Harry's championship skills in shuffleboard and favorite pastimes such as pinochle. He will be remembered for his quick wit, an infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit. He is survived by his loving wife Ruth, who currently resides at Lakeport Square Health Care Center. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Shriners Hospitals for Children, or Wounded Warrior Project in his name. Services will be held at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL at a date to be determined.

Harry B. Metzler

May 27, 1922 - June 3, 2021