Alva Mettler, 84

Alva Junior Mettler, age 84, of Sturgis, and formerly of Burr Oak, died Thursday morning, Feb. 25, 2010, at Fairview Living Centre in Centreville.

Alva was born June 20, 1925, in Branch County, a son of the late Alva A. and Hazel (Twadell) Mettler.

Alva grew up in the Quincy area, graduating from Quincy High School in 1943. He married Doris N. Johnson on Aug. 8, 1943.

Alva was a proud veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy as quartermaster on the battleship West Virginia in the Pacific Theater.

His early working years were primarily in Branch County, working as a meat cutter for A&P stores.

In 1953, Alva and Doris moved to the Burr Oak area, where he worked for Davidson’s Grocery.

lva was meat manager at Harding’s in Colon for more than 20 years, retiring in 1987.

In Burr Oak, Alva was active in the Good Fellowship Club and the Sports Boosters, was a Boy Scout leader, served on the Burr Oak School Board and was president of the PTA. He was a featured performer in community variety shows and emceed many local events through the years.

A member of the Burr Oak Methodist Church, Al served on many boards and committees for the church, but took particular joy in serving as manager of the church’s restaurant at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair.

Alva and Doris moved to Sturgis in 1992, where Alva enjoyed walking at Doyle Community Center, delivering Meals on Wheels, and playing cards at the Sturgis Senior Center. He loved fishing, especially if the trip included a grandchild.

Alva is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Doris, of Sturgis; children Alan (Mary) Mettler of Nashville, Mich., Rollin (Susan) Mettler of Sturgis and Patti (Kevin) Miller of Sherwood; seven grandchildren; Kimberly (Jonathan) Book, Corey (Beth) Mettler, Elizabeth (Scott) Kraemer, Jessica Blake, Lindsay (Wesley) Wriston, Andrea Mettler, and Jason Miller; and eight great-grandchildren; brother, Edward (Doris) Mettler of Largo, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Reed; and a brother, Kenneth Mettler.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 1-3 p.m. March 6 at the Burr Oak United Methodist Church. A memorial service celebrating the life of Alva Mettler will then take place at 3 p.m., with the Revs. Alan Mettler and Don Graham officiating.

If desired, the family suggests memorials be made in memory of Alva to the Burr Oak United Methodist Church, COA Sturgis Meal Site or the Michigan Parkinson Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the church on Saturday or anytime at the Schipper Funeral Home in Colon.

Private interment of the cremains will take place at a later date at Oak Grove Cemetery in Coldwater.