Mary Lou Metzger

Mary Lou Metzger age 77 of New Philadelphia died Saturday, April 18, 2026, while under the care of Crossroads Hospice, while in the care of Park Village Health Care Center at Dover following a brief illness.

Born on April 9, 1949, in Union Hospital at Dover Mary Lou was a daughter of the late John Henry Metzger and Anna Lou Ellwood Metzger.

Mary Lou graduated from high school in 1967, a proud member of the last graduating class from the former Port Washington High School. She worked for many years as a legal assistant and secretary for the late Attorney John Woodard and later worked part-time for Buehler’s in New Philadelphia and the Gnadenhutten Library.

Mary Lou’s greatest passion was traveling. She eagerly explored many destinations, including Australia and Greece, and visited numerous places across the globe and within the United States. An enthusiastic sports fan, she followed all Ohio teams closely and rarely missed watching games on television. In her leisure time, Mary Lou enjoyed cross-stitching and photography, often capturing her subjects in amusing or odd poses. Her affection for her family was deep; she enjoyed organizing yearly Christmas parties, pampering her nieces, and joining Ellwood cousin reunions.

Mary Lou will be deeply missed by her family which includes her brother, Don (Jane) Metzger of New Philadelphia; her nieces, Christie (Andrew) Kuykendall of Bolivar, and Angie (James) Strecker of Charlotte, North Carolina; her great-niece, Jadyn; great nephews, Cole, and Rowan, as well as many extended close family members.

A memorial service celebrating Mary Lou’s life will be led by Pastor Kevin D’Ettorre in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Saturday April 25, 2026, at 4 PM. The family will greet guests one hour prior to the service from 3 – 4 PM. A meal and fellowship will be shared in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home following the service.

Memorial Contributions in Mary Lou’s name may be directed to the Gnadenhutten Public Library, 160 North Walnut Street, Gnadenhutten, Ohio 44629 or to the Crossroads Hospice Charitable Foundation, 10810 E. 45th Street, Suite 300, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146.