Belva Jean Metzler

Belva was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 14, 1928, the fourth of ten children born to Joseph and Marie Dengler, and passed away on April 10th in San Rafael, California. After high school, Belva stayed in Detroit working as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell while her parents and younger siblings moved to Dunkirk, NY. Belva took the train one weekend to visit her family and attended a square dance where she met the love of her life, James Metzler, a farmer boy from Laona. They married on September 5, 1954, and settled in Fredonia, where they raised two daughters. In 1979, Jim passed away and in 1985, Belva packed up and moved to Santa Rosa, CA to be near family, but mainly to get out of the harsh winters. She is survived by her daughters Mary Allen (Andrew) and Diane Dillon (James), and grandchildren: Jonathan Decicio, James Decicio, Jennifer Marshall (Caleb), Joseph Decicio, Kathryn Allen, Rachelle Reiff, and Maranda Allen. She is also survived by her brother and sisters: Virginia DeJonghe (Charles), Hugh Dengler, Marilyn Molloy (James), and Darlene Letersky, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Belva is predeceased by brothers Donald, Raymond, Ralph, and Marvin Dengler, and sister Bernice O'Connor. Family and friends are invited at attend a visitation to be held at the LAFFERTY & SMITH COLONIAL CHAPEL on Thursday, April 14, 2016 from 5 PM to 8 PM with a Vigil/Rosary Service commencing at 7 PM in the main chapel. A Funeral Mass will be held at the Blessed Mary Angela Church, in New York. She will be interred at St. Hedwig's Cemetery next to Jim in Dunkirk, NY. Memorial contribution's may be made to the charity of choice. Visitation

Lafferty Smith Colonial Chapel

Thursday, April 14, 2016 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM 4321 Sonoma Highway Santa Rosa, California 95409 Directions