Mabel W. Metze

Mabel Metze, Mabel Wilhelmina Metze was born September 24, 1907, to J.C. Henry and Rosa Mindling Metze in Muskingum Township, Washington County, Ohio. When Mabel was very young the family took up residence near Lowell, Ohio, and Mabel received her early education there graduating from Lowell High School in 1924. She then attended Bethany College graduating in 1928. Mabel taught at Lowell High School until 1931, then went to Boston where she received her M.S. Degree in 1932 from Boston College. The next years were spent teaching in New Hampshire, Toronto, Ohio, and Hagerstown, MD. In 1948 Miss Metze joined the staff of The United Christian Missionary Society as Director of the children�s work field program in the Christian Education Department. She assisted in the development and use of materials for vacation church schools and counseled with regional staffs in the development of leadership. Reverend Metze served as visiting lecturer at Christian Theological Seminary in her ministry of training and continuing education for professional educators in the church. She also assisted at Brite Divinity School of Texas Christian University, Phillips University, Eureka College, and Northwest Christian College in conducting Christian education practica for their students. Mabel received a M.Div. from Christian Theological Seminary in 1968. She served as a missionary in the Philippines from 1968-1974 as a teacher of church history (including Philippine church history). Mabel taught at the Ellinwood College of Christian Education which prepared young women of the Philippines for Christian service. She visited with former First Lady Elanor Roosevelt, and, at Mrs. Roosevelt�s request, acted as a guide for diplomats and United Nations delegates who visited the Philippines. Mabel traveled around the world three times and almost caused an international incident when visiting Russia in her attempts to locate a church she could attend. Reverend Metze was known for her sweet tooth. Last December, along with other former missionaries and friends, she attended the Global Ministries Christmas party at Robin Run and enjoyed two pieces of pie. Miss Metze passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at the age of 102. Reverend Metze�s final request has been honored by her family and her body has been donated to Indiana University for scientific study. Mabel was pre-deceased by one brother, Frederic; two sisters, Grace Miller and Marian Hecker; one niece, Doris Gregory, and two nephews, James Miller and Robert Hecker. She is survived by a nephew, Ray Hecker of Zanesville, Ohio, and two nieces, Dorothy Edwards, Jacksonville, NC, and Norma Gant of Franklin, TN, as well as many great (up to four greats), nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Downey Avenue Christian Church, 111 S. Downey Ave., Indianapolis, 46219. Arrangements are entrusted to Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel.

Tributes

Mabel W. Metze

September 27, 1907 - November 3, 2009