January 22, 1931 – May 1, 2024
Don Metzger died peacefully at home with his family present on May 1, 2024 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on January 22, 1931 to Edward and Marie (Hartung) Metzger in Joliet, IL. Don grew up in Brookfield, IL and graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1948. He then worked various jobs, including driving a delivery van in Chicago and serving in the Illinois National Guard. During this time he met Barbara Wild, whom he married on October 29, 1955.
In 1961, Don and Barb moved to West Chicago with their growing family. Don began working at Elmhurst Lincoln Mercury, working his way up from tune-ups and oil changes to become a skilled auto mechanic. Never one to sit still, he also joined the West Chicago Fire Protection District as a paid-on-call firefighter. He gave both places 45 years of dedicated service before deciding it was time to hang up his tools and set aside his turnout gear.
After retiring, Don and Barb enjoyed traveling all over the United States, spending time with their grandchildren, and making things in his woodworking shop.
He is survived by his beloved wife Barbara; his children Michael (Beulah) Metzger, Donna (Scott) Edminson, Sharon (Paul) Pitts, and Steven (Cindy) Metzger; his grandchildren Heather (Matthew) Wasielewski, Ashley (Kevin) Cocciemiglio, Jessica Carter, Katelyn Pitts (Austin Benedetti), Samantha Pitts, Melissa (Anthony) Angiulo, and Amanda Metzger; great-grandchildren Addyson, Chloe, Noah, Charlotte, Layla, Lennox, and Braxton; his siblings Joan Schmidt and Ralph Metzger; his sisters-in-law Dee Metzger and Carole Wild; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughters Deborah and Sandra, his brother James Metzger, his brother-in-law Virgil Schmidt, and his sister-in-law Marcy Metzger.
Don was a devout member of St. Mary Catholic Church in West Chicago, and his faith was a great comfort to him in his final days.
A memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024 at DuPage Funeral Chapel (951 W. Washington Street, West Chicago). Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or the National Breast Cancer Foundation (www.nationalbreastcancer.org).
Grateful thanks to Traditions Health Hospice Care who helped keep Don comfortable as he made his final journey.
