Ruth Shirley Metzger

R. Shirley Metzger, 80, died April 11, 2013 in her Wyomissing residence.

Born in Reading, she was the daughter of the late Heber I. and Hettie Schafer Bryan, and the wife of Rev. Richard A. Metzger. They were married 58 years.

She was a 1950 graduate of Reading High School and a graduate of Philadelphia Bible Institute where she prepared for missionary work. At the University of Oklahoma she studied linguistics and at Richland College in Dallas, TX, Journalism.

Shirley and her husband served with United Indian Mission as missionaries to the Navajos in Arizona and the Carrier Tribe in British Columbia, Canada for over 20 years.

Her passion was counseling and teaching the good news of the gospel to young people as well as women's groups.

She was a reporter for a Montana newspaper and did freelance writing for a Montana magazine.

After retuning to Reading she was a bookkeeper and sales clerk at the Corita Shop. She retired from Leesport Wealth Mangement in 2003.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Richene, wife of Keith Johnson, Denver, CO, and two sons, Michael, husband of Dorene, Tucson, AZ, and Robert, husband of Danielle, Wyomissing. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Robyn Anderson, Jennifer Detweiler, Austin Metzger, Wyatt Metzger, Zaakira Metzger, and Garrett Metzger. She also is survived by eight great-grandchildren.

Shirley was predeceased by a brother, Heber E. Bryan and a sister, Esther M. Moyer.

Services will be Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in Grace Bible Fellowship Church, 1128 Hampden Blvd., Reading, PA 19604, where Shirley was a member. Rev. Randall Grossman will officiate. Burial will be in Schwarzwald Cemetery. Friends may call Saturday from 8:45 to 9:30 a.m. in the church. Contributions in Shirley's memory may be made to: Grace Bible Fellowship Church at the above address or Child Evangelism Fellowship, 1307 Good Street, Reading, PA 19602. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.