Charles A. "Jerry" Metz

Charles A. "Jerry" Metz, 80, of Dalton, died Tuesday at Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton, after a short illness. His wife of 40 years is Dorothea Clarke Metz.

Born in Towanda, son of the late Albert and Gertrude Wiggins Metz, he was a 50-year member of the First United Methodist Church of Towanda, where he taught Sunday school for 22 years. He was a 1951 graduate of Towanda High School and attended Mansfield University.

He served in the Army in France, where he visited the city of Metz, France, as did his father in World War I. Jerry was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Odd Fellows and Elks Club. He was a member of the Dalton Business & Professional Association, and served on the Dalton Sewer Authority. He also sang in the Towanda Minstrel years ago and was head chef at Our Lady of the Abingtons chicken barbecue for many years. Before retirement, he worked in sales at Cresswell Drilling in Dalton.

He was known as "Uncle Jerry" to neighbors, friends and, of course, relatives.

Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Jacqui Benedict, who was raised with the Metz family; Robin Kevlin, Tina Bankston and Conrad, Michael, James and Harry Metz; a brother-in-law, William Clarke and wife, Patricia; a sister-in-law, Lois Fuller and husband, James; numerous other nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. in First United Methodist Church of Towanda, 103 Main St., Towanda. Interment with military honors, Oak Hill Cemetery.

Friends may call Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit,, or Friday from 10:30 am until time of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dalton Fire Company, 109 S. Turnpike Road, Dalton, PA 18414; or Our Lady of the Abingtons, 700 W. Main St., Dalton, PA 18414; or Dalton Community Library, 113 E. Main St., Dalton, PA 18414.