LOREN DALE “BURR” METZNER, age 61 years, a resident of the Blackman Heights Community, Hambleton, WV, departed this life peacefully, Thursday afternoon, July 12, 2018 at his home with his loving family and under the care of Mountain Hospice. Christ has sustained Burr through twenty years of Ministry with Parkinson’s and his last six months with cancer. “God is Good”.
He was born Friday, April 12, 1957 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Clarksburg, WV, a son of Lawrence Arnold Metzner of Stonewood, WV and Bernice Louise Crites Metzner, who preceded him in death July 2010. Also preceding Burr in death was an infant son. On August 1, 1976 at Stonewall United Methodist Church in Stonewood, WV, he was married to the former Susan Virginia Bilby, who survives.
Also Surviving are one son, Loren Michael Metzner and wife Erica Lynn of Cheat Lake, WV; one daughter, Michalla Daige Metzner and long-term-boyfriend Chad Wells of Parsons, WV; one brother, Larry Allen Metzner and wife Eleanor Terrell of Georgetown, DE and children: Chris, Craig,Tim and their families; one sister, Ladonna Marie Tucker and husband Gary of Clarksburg, WV and children: Jeremy, Jamie, Yancy and their families; brothers-in-marriage Charles Bilby; Michael Bilby and wife Sue and children: Michelle, Michalla, Tina, Crystal and their families; sister-in-marriage Janet Mullenax and husband Mark and son Philip and family; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.
He graduated from the class of 1975 from Roosevelt Wilson High school in Clarksburg, WV. He was blessed as a pastor serving at the Hamrick charge for years as his last appointment. Prior to becoming a pastor, he taught Sunday school at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and was an insurance agent and diesel mechanic in his earlier years. He was an involved member in both the Kairos prison ministry and NCWV-Emmaus Community. Burr wanted both of his churches, the Hambleton and Hendricks United Methodist Church, to know that he loved them dearly along with his friends and family.
His greatest passions were hunting, fishing, gardening, and being outside. Raising beagles and hunting rabbits were a large portion of his younger years. He also greatly enjoyed brook trout fishing the mountains of Tucker County and camping on Shavers Fork. Burr’s happy place, of course, was his garden. Heirloom tomatoes from generations before kept him with purpose and plenty of tomatoes and starts to share with everyone who entered his home.
The family received friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons, WV on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. On Wednesday, July 18, 2018, Loren will be moved to the Hambleton United Methodist Church, where friends may call from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Final rites will be conducted at the church at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. The Rev. Neil Parsons, lifetime friend and spiritual brother, will officiate and interment will follow at the McNeeley Cemetery at Hendricks, WV. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for LOREN DALE “BURR” METZNER. Condolences may be expressed to the family at; www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.
