Devon Metzger

Devon Metzger passed away quietly in his home in North Manchester, Indiana on December 3rd, 2024. His astute, wry sense of humor, mischievous spirit and unbridled willingness to share his wisdom and life experience will be unfathomably missed by all who knew him.

Though he was born in Norwich, New York, on February 27th, 1946, Devon was a true Hoosier. He grew up in South Whitley the son of Leo Metzger, a dairy farmer and teacher, and Evelyn Metzger, a homemaker and preschool teacher. Devon was one of five children including two brothers, Nolan and Marlon, sister, Ondalee, and twin sister, Yvonne, who showed up in the delivery room 20 minutes ahead of Devon. 

Devon’s favorite memory as a young person was showing Guernsey cattle at the county and state fairs. Later in life he would use this deep knowledge of bovine breeds to tease his grandchildren who thought the only breed of cows were, well, cows. (That’s city folks for ya…)

At South Whitley High School, Devon served on the student council and was a member of the Future Farmers of America, which is perhaps mildly ironic since he chose to pursue a career not on the farm, but rather in the classroom.

After graduating in 1964, Devon studied at Manchester College and went on to earn his Masters and Doctorate degrees, in teacher education at Indiana University, while cementing his love for Indiana hoops. Go I. U.!

Post-doc, Devon taught at the University of New Orleans, where he met and became a parent to Leslie, and then, ultimately, at California State University at Chico for 23 years. While living there, in 1986 Devon met the love of his life, Dianne, una profesor de español de Redding, California. They were married in 1991 on the ultimate unforgettable anniversary date — New Year’s Eve — in Mendocino, California.

Devon enjoyed traveling in Europe, biking in Bidwell Park, and visiting with family and friends, preferably at a local Starbucks. He also enjoyed the head snapping acceleration of his electric car, dining out, reading and watching great movies and TV. (Like every great movie and every great show. No seriously. He watched everything. You name it, Devon saw it.) 

Devon’s previously mentioned mischievous spirit also enjoyed what can best be described as getting a rise out of people. Devon was also the keenest of listeners and a trusted, thoughtful spirit to confide in. His insight, humor and guidance will be missed, perhaps, most of all.

The loving memory of Devon Metzger will be forever cherished by his wife, Dianne Neves, North Manchester; son, Marc Faure, Broomfield, Colorado; daughters, Leslie Ford, San Rafael, California and Monique Faure, Alameda, California; brothers, Nolan Metzger, Houston, Texas and Marlon (Pat) Metzger, Michigan; sisters, Yvonne (Gary) Rautenkranz, North Manchester and Ondalee (Steve) Ashleman, Salem, South Carolina; grandchildren, Cole Ford, Cameran Ford, Madeline Doten, Benjamin Doten. Devon was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Evelyn (Mishler) Metzger. 

A celebration of Devon’s life will take place on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at the Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, Indiana at 11:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. Here we’ll all get a chance to swap stories and share different facets of someone so near and dear to all our hearts. We will also burn through an alarming amount of Kleenex. 

For those who wish to honor the memory of Devon Metzger, memorial contributions may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60611 or Daniel’s Place, 113 West Main Street, North Manchester, Indiana 46962, or Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.