Warren S Metzger

Memorial Services for Warren S. Metzger will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church in Alma, Nebraska on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Lorri Kentner, officiating. Private family inurnment will be in the Alma Cemetery prior to the service.

Warren Sanford Metzger, 91 years of age, of Alma, passed away on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at Harlan County Health Systems in Alma. Warren was born July 2, 1920 at Syracuse, Nebraska, the youngest of two children of John J. and Catherine (Littlefield) Metzger. He received his education from Beaver City, Nebraska, graduating from Beaver City High School with the class of 1937. Warren then pursued higher education from Kearney State Teachers College in Kearney, Nebraska. Following his education, he was assistant cashier in the First State Bank of Beaver City.

Warren enlisted in the United States Navy and spent 2 ½ years on a PT boat in the South Pacific. He was a combat veteran who served in the European Sector, Asiatic/Pacific with 3 Battle Stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. When honorably discharged, Warren was a radioman 1st class.

On November 20, 1946 Warren was united in marriage to Vivian E. Wagner at Beaver City, Nebraska. After a short time in Beaver City, the couple made their home in Alma and to this union two daughters were born: Catherine Jane and Gail Lorraine. Warren and Vivian celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in 2006. Warren was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Vivian on November 15, 2007.

Warren had a clothing store in Alma for 10 years with Mugs Freas, he was secretary of the Chamber of Commerce in Alma, and enjoyed serving on the Alma School Board at the time the new track was built.

Warren sold cars for 8 years at Carlson and Dannull's, Robinson Motors for 29 years both of Holdrege, and over 11 years for Tripe Motor Company of Alma. In 1994, Warren was honored with a special celebration by Buick Motor Company for having sold 5000 cars. He was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church in Alma.

Besides his wife, Vivian, Warren was preceded in death by her parents; and father-in-law and mother-in-law: Rufus and Jane Wagner; sister, Joan Lorraine Reiss; great-nephew, Ryan Fecht and three sisters-in-law.

He is survived by his two daughters: Cathy Schoneberg and her husband, Billy of Orleans, Nebraska and Gail Brand and her husband, David of Plantation, Florida; four grandchildren: Brad Schoneberg and his wife, Melissa of Mason City, Iowa, Teri Jo Heckenlively and her husband, Randy of Orleans, Jason Brand of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and Doug Brand and his wife, Natalie of Plantation; four great-grandchildren: Jadyn and Tanner Heckenlively and Sophia and Olivia Schoneberg; brother-in-law, Victor Reiss of Holdrege; two nieces: Joanne Fecht and Judy Krueger; other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Warren's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.