Lester Paul Metz Obituary (1931 - 2020)

Lester Paul Metz, 88, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial for Lester will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, January 11, 2020 at All Saints Catholic Church in Des Moines. A visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 pm Friday, January 10, 2020 at All Saints Catholic Church. Interment, with military honors, will follow services on Saturday in Pine Hill Cemetery in Des Moines. Lester was born at home on June 29, 1931 in Belmont Township in Warren County, Iowa to Barney and Loretta (Dittmer) Metz. Lester served in the U.S. Air Force May 1949 1952. Lester married Phyllis Ann Ripperger May 9, 1953. Lester retired from Bridgestone/Firestone in 1993 after 40 years. After retirement Lester spent winters in Lakeland, Florida. He would do anything for his family & friends. He loved to make people laugh. Lester didn't know the meaning of a stranger. Lester always had a smile on his face & would make everyone feel welcomed. He enjoyed time with family & friends, taking family vacations, & relaxing at Holiday Lake in Brooklyn, Ia. He will be loved & missed by all. Lester is survived by daughters, Roxanne (Dan) Stockwell of Pleasant Hill, Iowa and Rhonda (Joe) Kimrey of Madrid, Iowa; sons, Roger (Deb) Metz of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Randy (Gigi) Metz of Norwalk, Iowa, and Raymond (Kim) Metz of Urbandale, Iowa; brother, Marvin "Duffy" (Rosie) Metz, Indianola, Iowa, 19 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; Sisters-in-Law, Virginia Biddle of Des Moines, Iowa, Pat Ripperger of Alpha, Illinois, Theresa Ripperger of Greensburg, Indiana, Beverly (Larry) Chicchelly of Des Moines, Iowa, as well as Many loving nieces, nephews, and friends. Lester was preceded in death by his parents, Barney and Loretta Metz, his loving wife Phyllis; brothers, Donald (Hilda) Metz and Herbert Metz; brothers-in-Law, Ernest "Joe" Biddle, Edwin (Janet) Ripperger, and Harold "Doc" Ripperger, a niece and a nephew. In memory of Lester, donations can be made to American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, or All Saints Catholic Church. The family would like to thank the nursing staff at Valley View Village for all the wonderful care they gave to Lester. Online condolences may be made at www.petersonfuneralservice.com