Louise Metzger

Louise Metzger, 95, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2026, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the First Christian Church in Shelbyville, IL, with Rev. James Bringman officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 am – noon in the church. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Casual attire is requested. Memorials may be given to First Christian Church in Shelbyville. Arrangements are by Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Send condolences at www.howeandyockey.com

Louise was born on August 25, 1931, in Shelbyville, IL, the daughter of Dayton Doyt and Helen Merle (Apple) Wagner. She graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1949. She married James Frederick Metzger on January 20, 1951, and they had two children, Karen and Terry. Louise began working at Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company, and later worked for Sta-Rite, Wagner’s Market, Johnston’s IGA, and Lithia Springs Marina, all in Shelbyville. Louise and Jim moved to Mt. Zion where she worked at Mt. Zion State Bank and later retired from Millikin Bank in Decatur as an account manager. She found joy in cooking meals for her loved ones, especially preparing special lunches for her grandchildren and their friends. Louise was a member of the First Christian Church in Shelbyville, IL, where she was named Deaconess Emeritus and worked faithfully in the kitchen for church meals and funeral dinners. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Shelbyville.

Louise is survived by her son, Terry Metzger and wife Patti of Shelbyville, IL; daughter, Karen Lay of Shelbyville, IL; brother, Donald Wagner and wife Dicka of Forsyth, IL; sisters-in-law, Linda Wagner and Jeanne Broverman both of Shelbyville, IL, and Nancy Metzger of North Carolina; eight grandchildren, Clinton Lay, Jr. of Springfield, IL, Christopher Lay (Rosemary) of Roswell, GA, Chad Lay (Amy) of Assumption, IL, Jacob Metzger (Kris) of Shelbyville, IL, Zachary Metzger (Anne) of Cropseyville, NY, Derek Jackson (Rachel) of Herrick, IL, Stephen Bennett of Findlay, IL, and James Strowmatt (Dulcey) of Mattoon, IL; twenty-two great grandchildren; and nine great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim on December 29, 2001; brothers, James Wagner and Robert Wagner; sister, Marjorie Pierce; son-in-law, Clint Lay; grandson, Keith Lay; great grandson, Brendan Lay; and great great grandson, Cade Lay.