Kathleen Metzger-Merkel Obituary

Kathleen Jane Metzger-Merkel

Jacksonville, FL - Kathleen Jane Metzger-Merkel (nee Dines), a resident of Jacksonville, Florida, died of natural causes on July 20, 2025, three months and nine days after turning 99. Kay was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 11, 1926. She was the valedictorian of her high school graduating class and a proud honors graduate of the University of Michigan, class of 1947. During her time in college, she worked in a factory and packed wrenches to be shipped overseas during the war. She enjoyed watching Michigan football and wore her prized University of Michigan class ring until the day she died. Go Blue!

Kay and her husband Marvin Metzger moved to Charleston, South Carolina in 1959, where they raised their two children. Kay was a long-time high school English master teacher in the Charleston and Berkeley County school systems. During her teaching career she obtained a Master's degree from the Citadel. Kay was also a member and former officer in the American Association for University Women. She finished her teaching career and retired from Stratford High School in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Kay kept in touch with a number of her former students and was exceedingly proud of them and their accomplishments after leaving high school. She spoke of you often kept and cherished the many cards and letters that she received from her former students over the years.

Kay was a cancer survivor. She was predeceased by her parents, both sisters, her husband Marvin, her husband Paul Merkel, who she married in 1991, and her daughter Martha. She is survived by her son Ward Metzger of Hudson, Florida, two nephews and a niece in California, and her two grand-daughters Karlie B. in N.C., and Jenny S. in Washington State.

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