Obituary of Vernon Metz

Vernon (Vern) Michael Metz, age 69, passed peacefully at his home in Hoschton, GA, on Tuesday evening, August 6, 2013 due to complications from Multiple System Atrophy. He was born on March 30, 1944 in Hamilton, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Ethel Metz. He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Nanette (Prushing) Metz; daughter, Kristi Metz; grandsons, Jackson and Ethen Metz of Lawrenceville, OH; brothers, Raymond (Linda) Metz of Morrow, OH, and Robert Metz of Fairfield, OH; sisters, Mary Lou Phillips and Peggy Metz of Morrow, OH; sister-in-law Linda (Terry) Nicholson of Dublin, OH; first wife, Sharon (Cook) Metz of Lawrenceville, OH; and many nieces and nephews. Vern was a graduate of Lemon-Monroe High School, and attended Hocking Technical College, The Ohio State University, and the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville. Vern was a member of the Ohio State Highway Patrol from 1968 to 1978, serving on Governor Rhodes' security detail from 1974 to 1978. He then went on to become Director of Operations at the corporate offices of Wendy's International in Dublin, Ohio from 1978 to 1990. In 1990, he began working for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium located in Powell, Ohio where he worked until his retirement in 2005 as the Assistant Zoo Director. Vern served as President of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the Dublin Convention and Visitors' Bureau, the Delaware Convention and Visitors' Bureau, The International Facilities Management Association, the Dublin A.M. Kiwanis, and the Dublin Music Boosters. He also was actively involved with the United Way and the Grady Memorial Hospital Guild #5 in Delaware, OH. He loved golfing, playing dominoes, and gardening. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, moving to Georgia so he could spend more time with his daughter and grandsons. Visitation will follow a Celebration of Life service to be held at STINE KILBURN FUNERAL HOME at 801 Monroe Rd., Lebanon, OH, 45036 on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 1:00 P.M., Reverend David Stephens and Robert Metz officiating. Interment will take place at Union Cemetery in Columbus, OH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 9990 Riverside Dr., Powell, OH, 43065, or to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, 716 Mt. Airyshire Blvd., Suite 100, Columbus, OH, 43235.