Raymond Gene Mettert, 73, a resident of Churubusco, died at 8:16 p. m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. He had battled a heart condition for many years, and had been hospitalized since March 1. Mr. Mettert was born on November 21, 1934 in Fort Wayne, a son of Alvey Kenneth and Mabel (Worman) Mettert, and spent his formative years there. On June 12, 1954 he was married in Fort Wayne to Carol J. Lamley, and spent the early years of his marriage there until moving to rural Roanoke in 1963. The couple later lived at Big Lake for several years until moving into Churubusco six years ago. An employee of Zollner Corporation in Fort Wayne for 32 years, he retired from their maintenance department in 1990. In his leisure time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending summers at their cottage in Osage, Minn. Most importantly, he loved and enjoyed his family. The surviving relatives include his wife Carol, to whom he was married for over 54 years; a son Steven R. (Karla) Mettert of Churubusco; a daughter Sandra (Bradley) Scare of Kendallville; two brothers Don (Mona) Mettert of Fort Wayne and Tom (Lottie) Mettert of Osage, Minn; two sisters Claretta (Owen) Nuttle and Helen (Dale) Archbold, both of Fort Wayne; a sister-in-law Lois Turner of Florida; four grandchildren Christopher (Kim) Mettert, Alan (Elizabeth) Mettert, Brandy (Ryan) Mizik, and Hillary Scare; and two great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers Henry Mettert and Robert Mettert. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a. m. Monday, March 17, 2008, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Father Danney Pinto, pastor of St. John Bosco Catholic Church, officiating. The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Sunday from 2 to 6 p. m., or one hour prior to the service Monday. Interment will be in the Thorn Cemetery at Ormas. The family requests that memorials be directed to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674 ********************************* To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. Mettert's memory, please click on "Condolences" below. . .