John D. Metzler, 89, of Goshen, Ind., and formerly of Nappanee, Ind., died Dec. 1, 2012, in Goshen.

John was born March 15, 1923, in Payette, Idaho; to John D. Sr. and Margaret (Eldredge) Metzler. He married Anita Flowers on Oct. 28, 1944. She preceded him in death in 2004.

He was active in the Nappanee Church of the Brethren.

He is survived by six children: Margaret (Bill) Warner, Nappanee; Susan (Frank) Chartier, Columbia City, Ind.; Michael (Marcea) Metzler, Dexter, Mich.; Patt (Tom) Cook, W. Lebanon, Ind.; Steven Metzler, Dexter, Mich.; and John (Fei Fei) Metzler, Ann Arbor, Mich.; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a sister: Helen Dell, of Modesto, Calif.; and a brother: Bob, (Vi) Metzler, Portland, Ore.

He was preceded in death by a foster sister: Sabine Heller Casten.

A memorial service will be held at the Nappanee Church of the Brethren at 2 p.m. Jan. 13, 2013. Memorial contributions may be made to Manchester University, North Manchester, Ind., Greencroft Retirement Community in Goshen, or to the Ogala Lakota College, P.O. Box 537, Kyle, SD, 57752.