Memorial set for Metzler children of Kansas whose parents died in accident. Mike and Gina Metzler of Newton, Kansas were killed in a motorcycle accident late Thursday, August 17. The family has been active with USA Wrestling/Kansas programs.Two of their five children, Luke and Seth, are very active in wrestling: Luke was a high school state champion as a freshman last year, and was a Junior All-American in both Greco and Freestyle, while Seth is a prior Kids’ state champion. A memorial fund has been established for the Metzler children at the following: Midland National Bank, 527 North Main. “Those of you who knew them know that Mike and Gina were deeply devoted to their family, and were very supportive of their children in whatever endeavor they undertook,” said Mike Juby, USAW Kansas state chairperson. Their funeral was held on Monday, August 21 at 2:00 at Grace Community Church in Newton. (Gary Abbott for USA Wrestling. August 22, 2000).
The caskets of Michael and Gina Metzler are carried on the back of a fire truck from Grace Community Church in Newton, Kan., to the cemetery where they were interred. Michael Metzler was a deputy chief with the Newton fire department. The Metzlers were killed in a motorcycle accident last week, and the funeral service was Monday.
Mike W. Metzler, 49, of Newton, died Friday (Aug. 18, 2000) at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He was born June 15, 1951, in Colby, to Sam and Ernestine (Moos) Metzler. He married Gina Harrison Dec. 4, 1982. He was a graduate of Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson and the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md. He was hired by the Newton Fire Department in 1975. He was promoted to deputy chief in 1992. He was a member of the Missouri Valley Fire Chiefs Association, the Kansas State Firefighters Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He also was a former member of the USD 373 School Board. He attended Grace Community Church in Newton. He is survived by his parents. Other survivors include: four sons, Caleb, Luke, Seth and Gabriel, all of Newton; one daughter, Briana, of Newton; four brothers, Tom, of Newton, Randy, of Shalimer, Fla., Sam, of Leawood, and Phil, of Washington, D.C.; two sisters, Anne Brockman, of Emporia and Karen Schneweis of Wichita. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday (Aug. 21, 2000) at Grace Community Church with Pastor David E. Reimer officiating. Friends may call from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 20, 2000) at Petersen Funeral Home. Family will greet friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Memorials have been established with Metzler Children’s Trust at Midland National Bank in care of the funeral home. (Petersen Family Funeral Home, Newton Kansas. August 18, 2000).
Gina L. Metzler, 39, of Newton, died Thursday (Aug. 17, 2000) in Newton. She was born Nov. 25, 1960, in Elwood, Ind., to Gene and Dana (Heflin) Harrison. She married Mike Metzler Dec. 4, 1982. She attended Grace Community Church in Newton. She was employed by Flowers by Ruzen in Newton. She was a loving mother and devoted wife. She is survived by her parents. Other survivors include: four sons, Caleb, Luke, Seth and Gabriel, all of Newton; one daughter, Briana, of Newton; two brothers, Toby, of Wichita, and Kelby, of Newton; three sisters, Tawnya Schroeder, of Newton, Melody Maloney, of Overland Park, Renie Whitfield, of Newton, and Tina Garcia, of Hutchinson. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Grace Community Church with Pastor David E. Reimer officiating. Friends may call from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 20, 2000) at Petersen Funeral Home. Family will greet friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Memorials have been established with Metzler Children’s Trust at Midland National Bank in care of the funeral home. (Petersen Family Funeral Home, Newton Kansas. August 18, 2000).
