Gerald Metzler

LINDSAY — Services for Gerald Henry Metzler, 82, of Lindsay are set for 10 a.m. Friday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church with Rev. Ron Scheible, O.S.A., officiating. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home of Gainesville.

Mr. Metzler died Jan. 29, 2008, at North Texas Medical Center in Gainesville.

Gerald Henry Metzler was born July 9, 1925, in Lindsay, the third son of Phillip and Frances Schmitz Metzler. After graduating from Lindsay Public School in 1943, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1944 and served three years in the Philippines and Japan during World War II. After his discharge in 1947, he founded Metzler Bros. Drive Inn in Oklahoma with his brothers, Bill and Lee. In 1960, they moved the barbecue restaurant to Highway 82 in Lindsay, where it expanded and employed their families for years.

On October 28, 1952, Gerald married Verena Anna Henscheid, daughter of Henry and Anna Flusche Henscheid of Muenster in Sacred Heart Church. They lived in Gainesville until 1963, when they built their current home on a farm three miles northeast of Lindsay. Gerald and Verena continued to operate Metzler Bros. Drive Inn until they retired in December 1996. Gerald was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Verena Metzler of Lindsay; daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Tim Voth; sons and daughers-in-law, Mark and Susan Metzler, Roy and Sandy Metzler of Denton, and Jerry and Glenna Metzler; grandchildren, Scott, Stephanie, Allison, Samantha, Jill, Kevin and Jason Metzler, and Christina Fisher and her husband, Craig; siblings, Clarence, William, Julius, and Raymond Metzler; and sisters, Annabelle Dieter and Virginia Noggler.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by a brother, Leroy Metzler.

Pallbearers are Scott, Jim, Don and John Metzler; Pat Dieter; Kenny Noggler, Jeff Kelly and Curtis Henscheid.

The family will receive friends at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, to be followed by the Rosary recitation at 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.