Heather Mari Metz

Today our bright and shining star went out. Heather Mari (Yetzke) Metz passed away December 17, 2017 at Hanson Hospice Center with her loving husband by her side. She fought ovarian cancer like a courageous, brave, storm trooper for the last 3.5 years.  She didn’t let the endless doctor visits and treatments get her down. Her life revolved around her beautiful twins whom she shared with her devoted husband John. She was born July 6, 1974 in St. Joseph, MI to John and Marge (Hess) Yetzke. She and John Metz married on May 12, 2012. They were blessed with twin sons in 2013. These three guys were the light of her life.  She was the yin to John’s yang. She was the most wonderful, caring mother, wife, sister, daughter, teacher, and friend. Her energy was contagious. She was an active participant in life.  She has friends from coast to coast who love her dearly. She graduated from Watervliet High School class of 1992 and still stayed in touch with many classmates even taught some of their children. She earned her bachelor degree in elementary education from Central Michigan University and her master degree from Western Michigan University. However, she was always a Chip at heart – never a Bronco. She taught 5th grade at Watervliet North Elementary since 1998. She loved her students so much; staying friends with many of them and their parents. She loved her coworkers at North and throughout the school system. She worked almost full time up until this September. She cried knowing she’d never teach again. She loved the theater and already saw Hamilton 3 times! She even took her mom to see Phantom while in high school. She was a member of Twin City Players and loved being a part of their productions. Especially since that is where she met John. She loved Chicago and just five months ago was riding a segway around the town. She loved to travel and she adored Jimmy Buffett. She was a parrot-head at heart and saw numerous concerts with her friends and cousin. She even got her dad to love Jimmy. Her lifelong friend and co-conspirator was her little brother, Chad. They shared many life adventures together and he will miss her with all his heart but will cherish his time with her boys forever. She was a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority and stayed in close touch with her college “sisters”. She loved cooking, entertaining, crafting, stained glass, fishing with her dad, she thrived on local and American history, loved to garden and share flowers, while always being wild and crazy.  Her bright shining smile will be missed by everyone; including her supportive husband and caregiver, John; her precious boys, Alexander and Jack; her favorite brother Chad; her heartbroken parents John and Marge (Hess) Yetzke; her loving mother-in-law, Donna (Nelli) Metz; her brother-in-law, Brian (Desiree) Metz, and niece Penelope Metz. Grandparents Ed & Ruth Yetzke. She is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends far and wide. Her grandparents, Lucille (Miney) Yetzke, Ralph and Ruth (Muesbeck) Hess, honorary grandparents, Uncle Jack and Aunt Virginia (Hess) Harroff, father-in-law, Robert Metz; and special cousin, Richard Harroff, have all welcomed her to heaven with open arms. Miss you always until we meet again. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph with Rev. Marvin Herman officiating. Friends may visit Tuesday, December 26, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Metz Boys Education Fund in care of John Metz or Lory’s Place. Those wishing to sign Heather’s guestbook and leave a condolence for the family may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.