Joseph Metzger

Joseph Metzger, age 89, of Johnsburg, IL passed away following surgery at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock.

Joseph was born on January 24, 1928 in Pomaz, Hungary. He was the son of Stefan Metzger and Rosa Weiszhar. Joseph married Elizabeth Harrer of Mosonszentpeter, Hungary on January 26, 1952 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in McHenry, IL. They had met in Sinsheim, Germany, where they were both displaced following World War II, and later decided to make their future life together in the United States. Elizabeth immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1950 and Joseph immigrated the following year. They first lived in an apartment in McHenry and later moved to Johnsburg, IL, where Joseph rebuilt a summer cottage into their home, in which they resided for almost 60 years.

Joseph first worked as a bricklayer and plasterer for Ted Pitzen for many years, and then was later employed by Great Lakes Naval Base as a plasterer until retirement. He was a Sunnyside Village Trustee and was very active at St. John the Baptist Church in Johnsburg. Joseph had many hobbies as a younger man, including stamp collecting, calligraphy, leather work, cartooning, and wood working. But in his later years, his greatest interest and joy came from genealogy. If you’re reading this, he very likely asked you for your family information so he could create a genealogy chart for you. He loved his family beyond all measure, but he also just loved people – meeting them, talking to them, and getting to know them. If you were a stranger, you weren’t a stranger for long once Joe introduced himself to you.

Joseph lived in Johnsburg until health issues progressed, at which point he entered Hearthstone Manor in Woodstock where Elizabeth was also being cared for, so they could be together. Joseph and Elizabeth’s family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Hearthstone Manor for their many years of care for both of them.

Joseph was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth on May 31, 2015. He is survived by three children, John (Candace) Metzger of Rochester, NY, Paul (Donna) Metzger of Nashua, NH, and Maria (Roger) Zawacki of Johnsburg, IL; and five grandchildren, Emily and Erich Zawacki. Matthew and Margaret Metzger and Mallory (Matthew) Boyd. He is also survived by a sister in Germany, Theresia (the late Lorenz) Bayer and her extended family.

Visitation will be Friday, April 28, from 5-9 p.m. at Hamsher Lakeside Funerals and Cremations, 12 North Pistakee Lake Road, Fox Lake, IL 60020. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 29, at 11 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2302 West Church Street, Johnsburg, IL 6005, with interment to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hearthstone Communities www.hearthstonewoodstock.org/giving/.

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