John R. Metz, 89, South Heart, died Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. John’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, December 12, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, South Heart, with Fr. William Ruelle, as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., with a rosary & vigil at 2 p.m., with Deacon Bob Stockert presiding, at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson.

John was born on September 10, 1927 to Steve and Margaret (Zentner) Metz in Dickinson. He was raised on the family farm southwest of South Heart. He attended country grade school and then Model High in Dickinson.

John married Barbara Heiser on September 27, 1949 at St. Peter Conaisious Catholic Church in Grassy Butte. Together they raised five children in South Heart.

John worked in road construction and at the South Heart Elevator. In the late 1950’s, he took a leap of faith and started his own fuel business with Standard Oil in South Heart. He later took over Carter Oil Co. in Belfield, which became Metz Exxon. In the 1980’s, he became an independent oil products distributor, Metz Oil Co. During all the years of delivering fuel, he made many great friends and the children loved to get the Tootsie Roll Pops from him. He retired in 1998.

John was a self-taught musician, playing accordion and piano. He had his own band, the Royal Aces. He also was a member of various area bands. He played many years in the Frank Koppinger Orchestra and later with the Chuck Kadrmas Orchestra.

John was a very intelligent, well read man. He never forgot a face or a fact. He was extremely proud of all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In November 2015, John became a resident of St. Benedict’s Health Center. He loved entertaining the residents, visitors and staff with his music and many jokes. He was greatly loved by the staff.

He was a member of the St. Anthony Club, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in South Heart, Belfield Chamber of Commerce, St. Pius in Schefield and the ND Petroleum Marketers Assoc.

John will be forever missed by his loving wife of 67 years, Barbara; children; Shirleen (Ron) Bleth, Edie (Dennis) Pope, David (Cathy) Metz, Carol (Rodney) Merkel, and Gregory (Tammy) Metz; son-in-law, Charlie Dassinger; grandchildren, Dustin (Patti) Dassinger, Rhonda (Chad) Tormaschy, Timothy (Renae) Bleth, Riley (Kylee) Merkel, Tyler Merkel, Mandy Merkel, Johnathan Metz, and Janessa Metz; great-grandchildren; Cassidy, Alanta, Sienna Tormaschy; Hunter, Cayden, and Ty Dassinger; Shelby and Trayson Bleth; Jordan and Molly Merkel; brothers and sisters; Albert (Sharon) Metz, Tom (Diane) Metz, Harvey (Joy) Metz, Howard Metz, Agnes Custer, Mildred Robison, Alice Pojorlie, and Linda (Marty) Buzalsky; and his closest friend, Frank (Marge) Koppinger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brothers, Adolf and James; brother, Robert; sisters, Bernice Heiser, Janice Slater, and Eileen Rykowski.

Thank you to our loving husband, dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, father-in-law, brother, uncle and friend for all of the memories. We will always love you.