Volunteer was reared in farming household

4/30/2001

FAYETTE - Judy A. Metz, a longtime resident of Fayette and an avid volunteer for her church and community, died of congestive heart failure yesterday at her home. She was 57.

Family members describe her as a devoted mother and grandmother who was very active in her church and local community.

“She was someone who was always concerned about those in need,” her daughter, Valarie Keefer, said. “She would always take food to the sick and lonely people and donate clothing and toys to the local charity.”

Her other daughter, Amy O'Brien, added that her mother was a selfless individual who always gave her all to others.

“Even as her health declined, she was always positive and uplifting,” Mrs. O'Brien said.

Mrs. Metz, a Pettisville native, was born into a farming family. She was reared in Chesterfield, Ohio, where she graduated from Chesterfield High School in 1961.

Mrs. Metz, whose maiden name was Rupp, worked for a bank in Morenci until 1965, when she married Gene Metz, in 1965, in Tedrow, Ohio.

She attended Tedrow Mennonite Church at the time.

As soon as they got married, the couple moved to Fayette, where Mr. Metz was a farmer and sales vice president for Sauder Woodworking.

Mrs. Metz devoted her time to her family, first raising her children and later helping with her grandchildren.

Mrs. Metz was a member of Fayette Church of the Nazarene, Local Child Conservation League, and the Fayette Fine Arts Association and a board member of Normal Memorial Library in Fayette. She was a volunteer in the gift shop at Sauder Farm and Craft Village in Archbold.

Surviving are her husband, Gene; daughters, Valarie Keefer and Amy O'Brien; grandsons, Logan Keefer, Spencer Keefer, and Dylan Keefer; sisters, Betty Falkinburg, Elaine Nofzinger, and Emagene Stuckey; and brothers, Bill Rupp and Tom Rupp.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Fayette Church of the Nazarene. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. tomorrow at Eagle Funeral Home, Fayette. The family requests tributes to the American Heart Association or Gorham-Fayette fire and rescue department.