Helen M. Metzger, 96, of Galva, died Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at Marigold Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Galesburg. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 19th, at the Galva Chapel of Stackhouse-Moore Funeral Services. Rev. Martin Gutzmer will officiate. Burial will be at the Galva Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial may be made to the First United Methodist Church.
Helen was born October 25, 1918 in Chicago, the daughter of Mary and Charles Michels. She was educated in Chicago schools. Her marriage to Richard K. Peterson took place on May 15, 1936 in Chicago. He died October 18, 1986. She married Rev. K. Belmont Metzger on February 14, 1987 in Galva. He passed away June 17, 1998.
She worked for 24 years at Mascall’s Floral Shop & Greenhouse in Galva. Helen then worked at Kneen’s Department Store in Galva and at Hillside Florist in Kewanee. Her memberships included the First United Methodist Church, Galva, the United Methodist Women and the Martha Circle, the Married Folks class, and the Galva Senior Citizens. She had taught the kindergarten class at church for 24 years, was in the Bell Choir for 24 years, and headed Flower Committee for 35 years. Helen enjoyed gardening, flowers, and Scrabble.
Those surviving are a step daughter, Karen (Richard) Slezak, Yellowstone, WY, two step sons, Robert A. (Lyn) Metzger, Plainfield, IL, and James E. Metzger, Forreston, IL, seven step grandchildren, and 15 step great grandchildren. Other survivors include a sister-in-law, Eleanor Michels, La Jolla, CA, also nieces and nephews in California and a nephew in Sweden. Her parents, her two husbands, a sister, Viola, and three brothers, Charles, Joseph, and Frank, preceded her in death.