Eldred M. Metzger, 97, of Claypool, died at 6:48 a.m. Monday, June 30, 2014 in Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw.

He was born May 31, 1917 in Lake Township, Kosciusko County, to Homer & Iva (Beigh) Metzger. He graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1935.

On January 14, 1939 he married M. Louise Penrod. Eldred was a farmer and built and operated the former Junction 13 and 14 Service Station. He was also a DeKalb Seed Corn salesman for 25 years.

He was a former member of the Sidney Lions Club and drove a school bus for Sidney Schools for 21 years. Eldred served as a republican precinct committeeman for Jackson 2 for 25 years. He served four years on the Whitko Community School board during the planning and construction of Whitko High School. Prior to serving on the school board, he was Jackson Township Trustee.

For eight years he served as a Kosciusko County Councilman, three of those years as president. He retired from farming 10 years ago and continued with his passion for gardening and could often be found enjoying his family, friends and fellowship. He was a member of the Eel River Community Church of the Brethren in Silver Lake.

He is survived by his wife,  Louise Metzger, Claypool; one daughter, Carolyn Metzger Smith, Fort Wayne; three grandchildren, Mark (Tammi) Smith, Huntertown, Brian (Patricia) Smith, Garrett and Dawn (Kevin) Nofzinger, Garrett; one brother, Everett Metzger, Silver Lake; nine great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren.

Family and friends may call Wednesday, July 2, 2014 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester. Services Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, IN. Pastor Andrew Sampson will officiate. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery in North Manchester.