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Carleton Metzger, Sr.

August 31, 1923 - April 6, 2018

Carleton (Carl) M. Metzger Sr., age 94 of Ankeny died on April 6, 2018 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, following a brief hospitalization. A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 11, 2018, from 5-7 pm at Memorial Services of Iowa, 4208 N. Ankeny Blvd., in Ankeny, Iowa.
A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 13, 2018 at Zeiner funeral home in Council Grove, KS. A visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service.
Carleton M. Metzger was born on August 31, 1923 in Council Grove, Kansas to Floyd Dent Metzger and Eula Snow Corey Metzger. One of five children, Carl had three brothers, Michael, Eugene, and Floyd, and a sister Hallie.
Carl married Fern A. Burton on September 3, 1944, a union that lasted nearly 61 years. They had two children, Sharon Rae Metzger Fritch and Carleton M. Metzger Jr.
Carl is survived by his daughter Sharon (Frank) Fritch, Chanute, Kansas, son Carl (Janet) Metzger, Ankeny, Iowa; grandchildren Elton (Lori) Fritch, Wichita, Kansas and Tricia (Brian) Fritch Sarbaugh, Olathe, Kansas; Corey (Dr. Becky) Metzger, Ames, Iowa, and Eric (Erica) Metzger, Urbandale, Iowa, six great grandchildren, and sisters-in-law Shirley Rees and Phyllis Metzger of Council Grove, Kansas.
Carl graduated from Council Grove High School in 1944, enlisted in the United States Army during World War II, serving in the Philippines. He received the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for wounds received during his service. Upon his return to civilian life he and Fern moved to Wichita, Kansas, where they lived until moving to Salina, Kansas in the early 1960s. Carl made a career as a salesman for and manager of electrical wholesale businesses in Salina, Kansas and Garden City, Kansas.
Carl and Fern retired to Council Grove, Kansas, close to many family members. Fern passed away in 2005. In 2010 Carl moved his home to Ankeny, Iowa from Kansas. During his time in Ankeny, he lived in a condominium at Maplewood Village. Always the gentleman, Carl wore a white shirt, tie and jacket, even during the summer; he thought it was the right way to dress.
The Des Moines Veterans Administration clinic provided Carl with outstanding medical care as he coped with his lingering war wounds. He always knew his “last four”. Applebee’s was his favorite sit-down restaurant, as he enjoyed a “nice little steak”.
Carl’s family would like to thank the doctors, staff and clergy at Mercy Hospital for the loving care in his final hours of life. Also, thank you to friends for kindnesses shown and loving friendship extended to Dad.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Council Grove Area Foundation, Eula Corey Metzger scholarship.