June 8, 1935
Dec. 31, 2007

Thomas N. Van Metre, 72, of Van Wert, died at 3:09 p.m. Monday at St. Rita’s Medical Center.
He was born June 8, 1935, in Connersville, Ind., to Norma (Stemen) and Merril Van Metre.
He was married to Darlene (Maas) Van Metre, who survives.
Other survivors include sons Mark (Rhonda) Van Metre of Ohio City and Bruce (Lisa) Van Metre of Delphos; brother Max (Liz) Van Metre of Van Wert; sister Judy (Richard A.) Miller of Van Wert; grandchildren Joshua Van Metre of Van Wert, Lucas (Heidi) Van Metre of Delphos, Alex and Brittany Van Metre of Delphos, Logan Van Metre of Ohio City; and great-grandchildren Clayton and Madisyn Van Metre of Delphos.
He was preceded in death by a brother, E. Gordon Van Metre.
Mr. Van Metre was in the U.S. Army Signal Corp from 1957-1959. He worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a signalman for many years and was retired from International Harvester in Fort Wayne. He held memberships with Wesley United Methodist Church in Van Wert, the BPOE Elks Lodge, Tri-State Gun Collector’s Club in Lima, the West Branch Conservation Club in Grover Hill, had been a member of the Black Swamp Rifle and Pistol Club in Delphos and was a graduate of Grover Hill High School.
Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Rev. George Reed officiating, with assistance from the Rev. Paul Miller.
Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to the church.