2018/12/obit-metzler-IMG_1058-189x300.jpgFuneral services for Clarence Joe Metzler, “Dutch,” 97, of Lindsay, were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 29, at St. Peters Catholic Church in Lindsay, Texas. Burial followed in St. Peters Cemetery under the direction of Geo. J. Carroll and Son Funeral Home. The rosary and visitation were at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Geo. J. Car- roll and Son Funeral Home of Gainesville, Texas.
Clarence Dutch Metzler was born March 14, 1921, in Lindsay, the firstborn of Phillip and Frances Schmitz Metzler’s eight children. Dutch served his country in the U.S. Navy from August 1942 through December 1945.
Upon his return from the Navy, Dutch opened a restaurant with his brother Leroy in Grand Prairie, Texas. Following this endeavor, he purchased Preston Fishing Camp on Lake Texoma. Shortly after purchasing the fishing resort, he married his first wife, Lois Bellamy, on April 11, 1955. Dutch and Lois owned and operated Preston Fishing Camp for over 25 years. After selling the resort and retiring, they divided their residency between Lake Texoma, Texas and Pagosa Springs, Colo. They enjoyed 34 wonderful years together before Lois’ passing Sept. 19, 1989. He then married Vera Conrady and, upon her death after 12 years of marriage, he married Marie Herr until her death in April 2018.
Dutch loved his Catholic faith, family, hunting, fishing, a hearty vegetable garden and his log cabin in Colorado. He was a lifelong member of St. Peters Catholic Church and 74-year honorary life member of the Knights of Colum- bus.
Dutch is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Tammy Metzler, of Denton; daughter and son-in-law Linda and John Herndon, of Mesquite; grandchildren Erika Holland and husband Sean, Brett Metzler, Robby Herndon, Susan Herndon, Renea Kern and husband Brian; great- grandchildren Amber Jenkins, Tyler Jenkins and wife Taylor, Casey Guthrie, Jeffrey Herndon and wife Erica, Robert Herndon and wife Marissa, Cole and Ryan Kern; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brothers, Bill Metzler and his wife, Ethel; brother Raymond and his wife, Helen; sister Anna Belle Dieter and her husband, Rudy; sister Virginia Noggler; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
In addition to his wives, he was also proceeded in death by Leroy and Peggy Metzler, Gerald and Verena Metzler, Julius and Marcella Metzler, and brother-in-law Ted Noggler.
Pallbearers were Don Metzler, Johnny Metzler, Mark Metzler, Kenny Noggler, Pat Dieter, Brad Metzler, Jim Metzler and Daniel Sanchez.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John Paul II Catholic Parish Building Fund, 1303 Eagle Drive, Denton, TX 76201.
The Metzler family wishes to express much gratitude and thankfulness to Terri Metzler and Maria McCoy for their loving care of Dutch over the last four years.
You may sign the online registry at www.geojcarroll.com. The funeral home is Geo. J. Carroll and Son Funeral Home Gainesville, 602 Lindsay St., P.O. Box 642, Gainesville, TX 76240.
