Metzler, Virginia Boone

Virginia Boone (Ginny) Metzler, 93, of Salem, Va., died on Thursday, December 11, 2008. She was born on August 29, 1915, on Goose Creek in Floyd County, Va., the 10th of 12 children of Charles and Mary Odessa Boone. Ginny often spoke about the good times she had growing up on the family farm with her siblings.

She graduated from Check High School where she played on the track, baseball and basketball teams and studied her favorite subjects, English and biology. In her early twenties she moved to Harrisburg, Pa., where she met and married Henry O. (Doc) Metzler. After World War II, Doc and Ginny and the first of their three children moved to Salem, Va. Ginny said of herself, "There isn’t much that can be said about me except I loved people and talked too much." She was happiest when she could do things to help others, had a genuine love for people and felt blessed to have so many wonderful friends. Her family would like to thank all the people who were so kind and helpful to her in her later years when she could no longer drive.

Ginny was a member of Salem Presbyterian Church; President of the PTA of Academy Street and Broad Street Schools; President of the Salem Woman’s Club; charter member of the Salem Junior Woman’s Club; one of two surviving charter members of the Salem Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star; member of the American Legion Auxiliary; and member of the Salem Historical Society. She loved being a member of the Salem Seniors and the Garden Club, was very active in the Cub and Boy Scouts and in many capacities in local politics.

Ginny loved gardening and had a garden up until the time she moved from her home in Salem to assisted living. She prided herself on having the first ripe tomato of the season. She loved to cook and was happiest when her friends and family were well fed. She kept her mind alert by solving word puzzles and enjoyed writing her children and grandchildren letters, always including clippings of funny cartoons from the local paper.

Ginny was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Doc; and 10 of her 11 siblings, Andy, Alpha Link, Ella Poff, Vivian Board, Garnette Reed, Cliff, Jake, Hazel Connor, Frances Lucas and Bud.

Ginny is survived by her sister, Amelia (Peg) Ragland, of Newport News; three sons, William Metzler, of Salem; David Metzler, of Salem; and Charles Metzler and his wife, Nancy, of Charlotte, N.C.; nine grandchildren, Jeff, Shawn, Amber, Drew and Hampton Metzler, Amanda Metzler, and Elizabeth, Andrew and John Metzler; and six greatgrandchildren.

She had many friends and a large family. She loved and was loved by them all, and they will miss her.
Visitation will be held this Sunday, December 14, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Lotz Funeral Home in Salem. A service to celebrate Ginny’s life will be held 1 p.m. this Monday, December 15, 2008, at Salem Presbyterian Church. Services will be conducted by the Reverend David Gellert. The interment will be held at Sherwood Memorial Park immediately after the memorial service which will be followed by a reception at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Salem Rescue Squad, 201 South Broad Street, Salem, Va. 24153 or Salem Presbyterian Church, 41 East Main Street, Salem, Va. 24153.