His obituary from the January 15, 2012 Indianapolis Star:
In Loving Memory of Staff Sgt. Jonathan "Biggin" Metzger
Jonathan was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, on October 16, 1979, to Jacquelyn and James Metzger. Jonathan was married to Erica Lair Metzger on March 3, 2008, in Savannah, Georgia, prior to his deployment to Iraq.
Jonathan attended Rich South High School in Richton Park, Illinois, and graduated on May 5, 1998. After graduation, Staff Sgt. Metzger joined the Marine Corps and attended basic training in MCRD in San Diego, California. He completed his training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and qualified as a field 35-Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. Jonathan was honorably discharged from the USMC in 2005, and joined the Indiana Army National Guard in 2006. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in 2008 and volunteered to be deployed with the 713th Sapper Engineering Company in 2011. Jonathan was killed in action January 6, 2012.
Staff Sgt. Metzger has been awarded a bronze star during his tour in Iraq and earned a purple heart for his tour in Afghanistan. He has received the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two devices, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge SSG Metzger was a certified physical trainer and enjoyed weight and power-lifting. He also enjoyed boating and camping with family and friends. Jonathan took first place in the World Chicago Bench Press Championship in 1996, at the age of 16. At that time Jonathan weighed 165 lbs and benched 153 kg (336 1/2 lbs). Three years later, while serving in the Marines, he benched 470 lbs.
Jonathan was a member of the American Legion Post # 252 and the Roofer's Union Local 119.
Jonathan is survived by his wife, Erica Lair Metzger; parents, Jackie and Jim Metzger of St. Anne, Illinois; in-laws, Rae Pearson (Bob) of Indianapolis, Patrick Lair (Lisa) of Indianapolis; step-brothers, Nick and Brian Pearson; step-sisters, Sara Roos and Wendi Wampler; brother, Jeremy Metzger (Lisa) of Bradley, Illinois; sister, Julie Breazeale (Sgt. Burton Breazeale III MCAS) of Cherry Point North Carolina; grandparents, William and Aurelia Metzger of Manteno, Illinois, and Raymond and Dione Frederici of Monee, Illinois, Florence Turner of Crete, Illinois, Richard and Joann Powell of Steger, Illinois, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Jonathan was preceded in death in 2006 by his brother-in-law and fellow Marine Cpl. Timothy Roos who was serving in Iraq.
Donations can be made to Jonathan Metzger Memorial Fund (checks made payable to Jonathan Metzger) at the Fifth Third Bank or the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation in the name of Jonathan Metzger.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 and from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2012 in G.H. Herrmann Greenwood Funeral Home, 1605 S. State Road 135, Greenwood, Indiana 46143. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. on January 20, 2012 in the Indian Creek Christian Church located at 6430 Franklin Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46259.
Officiating the services is Jonathan's uncle, Rev. William Metzger of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Cary, Illinois. He will be laid to rest in The Field of Heroes at The Gardens at Olive Branch Cemetery located at State Road 135 & Olive Branch Road in Greenwood.
In Loving Memory of Staff Sgt. Jonathan "Biggin" Metzger
Jonathan was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, on October 16, 1979, to Jacquelyn and James Metzger. Jonathan was married to Erica Lair Metzger on March 3, 2008, in Savannah, Georgia, prior to his deployment to Iraq.
Jonathan attended Rich South High School in Richton Park, Illinois, and graduated on May 5, 1998. After graduation, Staff Sgt. Metzger joined the Marine Corps and attended basic training in MCRD in San Diego, California. He completed his training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and qualified as a field 35-Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. Jonathan was honorably discharged from the USMC in 2005, and joined the Indiana Army National Guard in 2006. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in 2008 and volunteered to be deployed with the 713th Sapper Engineering Company in 2011. Jonathan was killed in action January 6, 2012.
Staff Sgt. Metzger has been awarded a bronze star during his tour in Iraq and earned a purple heart for his tour in Afghanistan. He has received the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two devices, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge SSG Metzger was a certified physical trainer and enjoyed weight and power-lifting. He also enjoyed boating and camping with family and friends. Jonathan took first place in the World Chicago Bench Press Championship in 1996, at the age of 16. At that time Jonathan weighed 165 lbs and benched 153 kg (336 1/2 lbs). Three years later, while serving in the Marines, he benched 470 lbs.
Jonathan was a member of the American Legion Post # 252 and the Roofer's Union Local 119.
Jonathan is survived by his wife, Erica Lair Metzger; parents, Jackie and Jim Metzger of St. Anne, Illinois; in-laws, Rae Pearson (Bob) of Indianapolis, Patrick Lair (Lisa) of Indianapolis; step-brothers, Nick and Brian Pearson; step-sisters, Sara Roos and Wendi Wampler; brother, Jeremy Metzger (Lisa) of Bradley, Illinois; sister, Julie Breazeale (Sgt. Burton Breazeale III MCAS) of Cherry Point North Carolina; grandparents, William and Aurelia Metzger of Manteno, Illinois, and Raymond and Dione Frederici of Monee, Illinois, Florence Turner of Crete, Illinois, Richard and Joann Powell of Steger, Illinois, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Jonathan was preceded in death in 2006 by his brother-in-law and fellow Marine Cpl. Timothy Roos who was serving in Iraq.
Donations can be made to Jonathan Metzger Memorial Fund (checks made payable to Jonathan Metzger) at the Fifth Third Bank or the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation in the name of Jonathan Metzger.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 and from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2012 in G.H. Herrmann Greenwood Funeral Home, 1605 S. State Road 135, Greenwood, Indiana 46143. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. on January 20, 2012 in the Indian Creek Christian Church located at 6430 Franklin Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46259.
Officiating the services is Jonathan's uncle, Rev. William Metzger of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Cary, Illinois. He will be laid to rest in The Field of Heroes at The Gardens at Olive Branch Cemetery located at State Road 135 & Olive Branch Road in Greenwood.
His obituary from the January 15, 2012 Indianapolis Star:
In Loving Memory of Staff Sgt. Jonathan "Biggin" Metzger
Jonathan was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, on October 16, 1979, to Jacquelyn and James Metzger. Jonathan was married to Erica Lair Metzger on March 3, 2008, in Savannah, Georgia, prior to his deployment to Iraq.
Jonathan attended Rich South High School in Richton Park, Illinois, and graduated on May 5, 1998. After graduation, Staff Sgt. Metzger joined the Marine Corps and attended basic training in MCRD in San Diego, California. He completed his training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and qualified as a field 35-Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. Jonathan was honorably discharged from the USMC in 2005, and joined the Indiana Army National Guard in 2006. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in 2008 and volunteered to be deployed with the 713th Sapper Engineering Company in 2011. Jonathan was killed in action January 6, 2012.
Staff Sgt. Metzger has been awarded a bronze star during his tour in Iraq and earned a purple heart for his tour in Afghanistan. He has received the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two devices, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge SSG Metzger was a certified physical trainer and enjoyed weight and power-lifting. He also enjoyed boating and camping with family and friends. Jonathan took first place in the World Chicago Bench Press Championship in 1996, at the age of 16. At that time Jonathan weighed 165 lbs and benched 153 kg (336 1/2 lbs). Three years later, while serving in the Marines, he benched 470 lbs.
Jonathan was a member of the American Legion Post # 252 and the Roofer's Union Local 119.
Jonathan is survived by his wife, Erica Lair Metzger; parents, Jackie and Jim Metzger of St. Anne, Illinois; in-laws, Rae Pearson (Bob) of Indianapolis, Patrick Lair (Lisa) of Indianapolis; step-brothers, Nick and Brian Pearson; step-sisters, Sara Roos and Wendi Wampler; brother, Jeremy Metzger (Lisa) of Bradley, Illinois; sister, Julie Breazeale (Sgt. Burton Breazeale III MCAS) of Cherry Point North Carolina; grandparents, William and Aurelia Metzger of Manteno, Illinois, and Raymond and Dione Frederici of Monee, Illinois, Florence Turner of Crete, Illinois, Richard and Joann Powell of Steger, Illinois, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Jonathan was preceded in death in 2006 by his brother-in-law and fellow Marine Cpl. Timothy Roos who was serving in Iraq.
Donations can be made to Jonathan Metzger Memorial Fund (checks made payable to Jonathan Metzger) at the Fifth Third Bank or the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation in the name of Jonathan Metzger.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 and from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2012 in G.H. Herrmann Greenwood Funeral Home, 1605 S. State Road 135, Greenwood, Indiana 46143. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. on January 20, 2012 in the Indian Creek Christian Church located at 6430 Franklin Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46259.
Officiating the services is Jonathan's uncle, Rev. William Metzger of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Cary, Illinois. He will be laid to rest in The Field of Heroes at The Gardens at Olive Branch Cemetery located at State Road 135 & Olive Branch Road in Greenwood.
In Loving Memory of Staff Sgt. Jonathan "Biggin" Metzger
Jonathan was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, on October 16, 1979, to Jacquelyn and James Metzger. Jonathan was married to Erica Lair Metzger on March 3, 2008, in Savannah, Georgia, prior to his deployment to Iraq.
Jonathan attended Rich South High School in Richton Park, Illinois, and graduated on May 5, 1998. After graduation, Staff Sgt. Metzger joined the Marine Corps and attended basic training in MCRD in San Diego, California. He completed his training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and qualified as a field 35-Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. Jonathan was honorably discharged from the USMC in 2005, and joined the Indiana Army National Guard in 2006. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in 2008 and volunteered to be deployed with the 713th Sapper Engineering Company in 2011. Jonathan was killed in action January 6, 2012.
Staff Sgt. Metzger has been awarded a bronze star during his tour in Iraq and earned a purple heart for his tour in Afghanistan. He has received the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two devices, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge SSG Metzger was a certified physical trainer and enjoyed weight and power-lifting. He also enjoyed boating and camping with family and friends. Jonathan took first place in the World Chicago Bench Press Championship in 1996, at the age of 16. At that time Jonathan weighed 165 lbs and benched 153 kg (336 1/2 lbs). Three years later, while serving in the Marines, he benched 470 lbs.
Jonathan was a member of the American Legion Post # 252 and the Roofer's Union Local 119.
Jonathan is survived by his wife, Erica Lair Metzger; parents, Jackie and Jim Metzger of St. Anne, Illinois; in-laws, Rae Pearson (Bob) of Indianapolis, Patrick Lair (Lisa) of Indianapolis; step-brothers, Nick and Brian Pearson; step-sisters, Sara Roos and Wendi Wampler; brother, Jeremy Metzger (Lisa) of Bradley, Illinois; sister, Julie Breazeale (Sgt. Burton Breazeale III MCAS) of Cherry Point North Carolina; grandparents, William and Aurelia Metzger of Manteno, Illinois, and Raymond and Dione Frederici of Monee, Illinois, Florence Turner of Crete, Illinois, Richard and Joann Powell of Steger, Illinois, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Jonathan was preceded in death in 2006 by his brother-in-law and fellow Marine Cpl. Timothy Roos who was serving in Iraq.
Donations can be made to Jonathan Metzger Memorial Fund (checks made payable to Jonathan Metzger) at the Fifth Third Bank or the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation in the name of Jonathan Metzger.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 and from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2012 in G.H. Herrmann Greenwood Funeral Home, 1605 S. State Road 135, Greenwood, Indiana 46143. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. on January 20, 2012 in the Indian Creek Christian Church located at 6430 Franklin Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46259.
Officiating the services is Jonathan's uncle, Rev. William Metzger of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Cary, Illinois. He will be laid to rest in The Field of Heroes at The Gardens at Olive Branch Cemetery located at State Road 135 & Olive Branch Road in Greenwood.
