James Ivan Metz

James I. Metz, 83, a writer and Oshkosh historian, died Monday, September 8, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center.Metz was born in Oshkosh on Nov. 30, 1930, the middle of three sons of Rudolph L. Metz and Gwendolyn Hansen Metz, and graduated from Sacred Heart Seminary, Oneida, WI, and attended St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, MN.For about 46 years Metz was a writer for the Oshkosh Northwestern, as a reporter, then as city editor and spending the last 20 years until 1995 as editorial page editor. As such, he twice (1987 and 1993) was given William Allen White Editorial Excellence Awards.Metz was also active for more than 20 years in area soccer programs. As soccer instructor and assessor registered by the United States Soccer Federation, he helped teach more than 2,000 boys, girls, men, and women to become and to advance as soccer referees.As a writer and historian, Metz authored several book about early Oshkosh and Winnebago County: Prairie, Pines and People, Oshkosh Aflame, When Oshkosh went to War, and Baby Does Legend Begins. He wrote the script for the official 2003 Oshkosh Sesquicentennial video Foundations to Remember. Metz also founded the Oshkosh Memorabilia Club.On Aug. 31, 1963, Metz married Violet Zernzach who survives. They had four children- Edward, Emmitsburg, MD; Andrea, Midlothian, VA; Paul, Reedsburg; and Richard, Oshkosh-and they also survive. Also surviving are his two brothers, Thomas and Ronald; and 14 grandchildren.Funeral services for Metz will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Most Blessed Sacrament-St. Mary Church, Rev. James Jugenheimer officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the service. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery with military honors. A memorial is being established to the Oshkosh Youth Soccer Club (OYSC) for the Jim Metz Referee Scholarship, P O Box 2621, Oshkosh WI 54903.Jims family wishes to thank the staff at Affinity FMC Dialysis for all their help and care.

Most Blessed Sacrament-St. Mary Site



442 Monroe St
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
9 a.m. - service



Most Blessed Sacrament-St. Mary Site



442 Monroe St
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
11:00 a.m.



Riverside Cemetery



1901 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901