Matthew Metzler

Although he was taken from his loved ones much too soon, Matthew Metzler blessed the lives of everyone he met. He was outgoing and social, the sort of person who never met a stranger as a lifelong resident of the community he loved. Matthew treasured his family, and his devotion to his family and friends was unmatched. He was an avid outdoorsman who could find the joy in even the simplest of things. Although Matthew was a rough and tough type of guy, yet on the inside he had a huge heart and would do anything for anyone. Life will never be the same without him here, but the memories he leaves behind will remain a lasting treasure in the hearts and lives of all who were blessed to know and love him.

It seems only fitting that Matthew’s journey began during a time that was as vibrant as he was. It was the 1950s, or the Nifty Fifties as this decade is often recalled, when Elvis was king, Father Knows Best redefined the American family, and James Dean made young girls swoon on the silver screen. Amidst this eventful time was an exciting time in the lives of Eugene and Jacqueline Metzler as they were filled with great joy when they welcomed their son, Matthew David, into their hearts and home through adoption as the heat of the summer covered the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan, in July of 1958. Born on April 18th of that year, he was a good baby who was affectionate and the apple of his parents’ eye when he came into their lives at just three months of age.

Raised in the family home on Tipperary Road in Kalamazoo alongside his sister, Carol, Matthew was a young boy of his generation. His father was a hardworking man with a strong work ethic, which made a significant impact on Matthew, helping to shape his own work ethic. He attended Winchell Elementary and Oakwood Jr High where he was on the wrestling team. He was a Boy Scout, which is how he developed his lifelong love for camping and the great outdoors. Matthew was also a leader in the church youth group at First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo while growing up. He went on to graduate from Loy Norrix High School in 1976.

Throughout his life Matthew treasured his family. Holidays and celebrations were always special times with family, and at times he hosted everyone at his house. Matthew was a great cook, which his family appreciated, and among his specialties were his chicken wings. He was a dog lover who especially enjoyed the companionship of his Rottweiler, Socia.

Always one to keep busy, Matthew was a man of many interests and talents. He spent 34 years building doors for Ellison Manufacturing where he loved his job and was so proud of his work. It was because of his declining health that he left the workforce in 2013. A true outdoorsman through and through, Matthew enjoyed things like fishing and heading to the beach, and he also had both a kayak and a canoe. He enjoyed photography and loved taking pictures of various things in nature. Matthew did some traveling, and over the years he visited Royal National Park three times. When it came to movies, he liked westerns and war movies, and he also loved anything and everything about WWII, which was something he had in common with his father. Matthew also collected various war memorabilia including weapons and liked making balsa wood gliders.

The sort of person who would do whatever he could for others, Matthew Metzler made the world around him a better place. He was a people person and was a lover of life with a great sense of humor that made him so much fun to be around. Matthew had many friends and enjoyed spending time with all of them. His friend Sue held a place close to his heart. He was a man’s man, yet he was also sensitive and sentimental when it came to the past. Matthew will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

Matthew David Metzler died on Friday, May 15, 2015. Matthew’s family includes his mother, Jacqueline; nieces; nephews; aunts; uncles; and cousins. Matthew was preceded in death by his father, Eugene, in 2012 and his sister, Carol Dwyer, in 2001. Learn more about Matthew and visit with his family and friends, while sharing food, on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (375-2900). The family will have private funeral services. Please visit Matthew’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo. Memorial contributions may be made to the SPCA of Southwest Michigan or the Wounded Warrior Project.