March 5, 1935 - July 17, 2013

ELKHART — Daniel F. "Dan" Metzger, 78, of Elkhart and Foxwood Hills in LaGrange, went to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, July 17, 2013, surrounded by his loving wife of 57 years, daughters and cherished pets.

Dan was born on March 5, 1935, in Goshen to the late Porter Metzger and Janice (Redmond) Chupp.

On Feb. 4, 1956, he married Audrey Smith in Elkhart.

She survives, along with daughters Terri (Richard) Doughty of Griffin, Ga., and Susan (Dennis) McKrill and Wendy Metzger, both of Elkhart; grandchildren Herbert III (Mandy) Ulery, Joseph Daniel Ulery, Andrea D. Dawson and Sarah J. Dawson; great-grandchildren Ryan D. Dawson and Brody C. Ulery; sisters Louise Dovel and Mary Lamphire; and brothers Jay (Julie) Chupp and Robert (Darlene) Chupp.

Besides his parents, preceding him in death were his sister, Donna Phillips, and brothers Kenneth Metzger, Joseph "Bud" Chupp and Johnny Chupp.

Dan will be missed by his faithful pet Pomeranian friends, Sugar and Bear.

Dan worked for the City of Elkhart as a truck driver in the Street Department, retiring in 2001.

He proudly served his country for nearly six years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., and the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky. While in the 101st he completed a total of 110 parachute jumps.

Danny enjoyed taking leisurely walks, fishing, boating, camping and mushroom hunting. He spent the summer months at his lake property where he loved riding his golf carts. He was an avid NASCAR fan and loved to watch the Indianapolis Colts play football.

Dan attended Riverside Bible Church with his wife and was a life member of DAV Chapter 19, the 101st Airborne Association and Bristol American Legion Post 143.

Funeral services celebrating Dan's life will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, July 22, at Billings Funeral Home in Elkhart, where friends may call for one hour prior to start of services. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at the funeral home. Pastor Norman Pennington, a close family friend, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Prairie Street Cemetery Veterans Section with military honors rendered by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and DAV Chapter 19.

Dan's family requests that memorials be made to Humane Society of Elkhart County. Online condolences may be offered at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

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