Ruby Metzler

Ruby LaVaune Underwood Metzler was born May 24, 1916, in Greene County to Bertha and Walter Underwood. She had one brother, Beryl Laverne Underwood, who was 1½ years older than she.

Ruby remained close to her brother until his death at 71 years of age. Ruby died Feb. 3 at her home in Jamaica at the age of 103 years.

Ruby and Beryl were loved and adored children. They had pictures taken and dressed well often. Ruby’s parents split up and Ruby went with Bertha to live in Des Moines.

She attended school through ninth grade. Ruby went on to beauty school and always looked the lady.

Ruby married Roland Marshal, a graduate of Rippey Schools. They had one son, Rodney Marshal. At one point, Rodney was taken by his father to Chicago. Ruby left the farm and found a way to take a train and go after and fight for her son. She took him back to Rippey with her. Roland soon followed. Later, while coming home from work, he had car trouble and another car hit and killed him.

Ruby wanted a change and took Rodney to Valencia, Calif. She was working in a restaurant when she met Paul Metzler, her second husband. He was from Stout, Russia, and he was working at the same restaurant as Ruby. They married and moved to the Rippey farm, continuing to raise Rodney, whom Paul gave his name of Metzler.

Paul owned and operated Fox’s Lunch Box Cafe on 2nd Street in Perry. Ruby made the pies.

They had two grandchildren from Rodney. Ruby also has two great-granddaughters and two great-great-grandsons and one great-great-granddaughter. She also shared a close relationship with her brother Beryl’s granddaughter, Jolene Minniear, and later her daughter, Jamie (Jim) Rowe, and their three children from New York.

A funeral service was held Feb. 6 at the Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, with words of comfort by Todd Muir of Jefferson Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Music included “He Will Make You Strong” and “Life Without End – At Last.”

Honorary bearers were Bud Matthews, Ned Johnson, Tyler Muir and Kurt Meinecke.

Casket bearers were Ian Johnson, Todd Muir, Steve Curtis and Matt Ulrich.

Interment was in the Junction Twp. Cemetery.

Ruby was living in her own apartment in Jamaica. She was in her right mind and still walking with a cane until about a month before her death.

She touched the lives of many.  She was loved by her trusted friend, caregiver, defender and confidant, Ramona Matthews.

She will be very much missed by all of her friends/caregivers and family.