Thomas C. "Tom" Mettel

Thomas C. "Tom" Mettel, age 80, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 8:05 a.m., on Wednesday, September 6, 2017, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, surrounded by his loving family. To honor Tom's life, private family services were held. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, is in charge of arrangements. Tom was born on June 24, 1937, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Francis and Genevieve (West) Mettel. Tom graduated from the Loras Academy and would go on to marry his high school sweetheart, Emily Simpson, at Sacred Heart Church on September 6, 1958. The cute couple was truly blessed with 59 years together, and 3 boys, before Tom was sadly called to his eternal home upon their wedding anniversary. Tom spent most of his working career as a paint salesman, but his most recent place of employment was working security at the Dubuque Dog Track. In his free time, Tom enjoyed getting comfortable in his recliner, or venturing out to lunch with Tim on a nice day, but truly any time where his family was by his side was a perfect way to pass the day with Tom. We are broken hearted today with the absence of Tom from our daily lives, but we know that his earthly medical struggles have been numerous and he is finally at peace from the confines of his physical body. We will surely miss our always positive and quite personable husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, but we know we'll see him again, and trust that the Lord will keep him safe in His loving arms until that time finally arrives. Those left to cherish Tom's memory include his loving wife of 59 years, Emily Mettel, Dubuque, IA; his 3 sons, Michael (Dawn Krug) Mettel, Metamora, IL, Bruce (Susan) Mettel, Sacramento, CA and Tim Mettel, Dubuque, IA; his 2 grandchildren, Jeff (Laura) Mettel and Kathleen (Brett) Nekolny; 1 great-grandson who is due to begin his earthly journey in November; his siblings, Mary Mettel and Janice (Robert) Munson, both of St. Paul, MN; and several nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Bill Mettel. A Thomas C. "Tom" Mettel memorial fund has been established, which will be distributed among his favorite charities. Tom's family would like to thank all who have helped them over the past few years, including the doctors, nurses and staff at the University of Iowa for all of the kind, caring, compassionate and professional care the provided to Tom and his family.