January 4, 1927 - June 28, 2022
Jeanne Mercedes Barclay Metz, 95, of Allensville, passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at her home.
She was born on Jan. 4, 1927 in Porter Township, Huntingdon County to William James Barclay and Dorothy (Bilger) Barclay. She grew up in Shavers Creek Valley, where she attended a one room school with her four sisters and one brother. She then entered Petersburg High School and graduated from there in 1945. During high school, she was active in the home economics club and student council for four years.
She met her husband Jacob Ross Metz at a barn dance and married him on March 9, 1946 in the Manor Hill Methodist Church. They were married by Rev. James A. Farrar. They established their home on a farm in the Kishacoquillas Valley, known as Lake Vale Ayre Farms. Three children were born and raised there, Judy Metz Eagle, Larry Gene Metz and wife Brucette, and the late David Ross Metz, who passed away in 2013. They were blessed with 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Cathy J. Metz of Mill Creek. Along with her parents and son David Ross Metz, she was also preceded in death by her husband in 2009, a grandson, David Ross Eagle in 2001 and a son-in-law, David S. Eagle in 2004.
Jeanne was a Big Valley 4-H club leader, served on the Huntingdon County Extension Board, Huntingdon County Farm & Home Financial Board, member of the Shavers Creek Grange 353, State Pennsylvania Grange and National Grange. She was appointed state director of PA Grange from 1969-1974. She also served on the National Grange Women’s Activities Board, where she established many new activities at the state level in competition for women and men. She and a committee of six ladies worked together at these activities. They were asked to put together a new cook book, and the famous white cook book was established in 1972 and is still popular today.
Jeanne was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Allensville, where she served as Sunday school teacher for small children, was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Women at St. Paul’s and at the Synod level. She was active in many local and community events, and she and her husband hosted foreign exchange students from Juniata College and Penn State who had an interest in agriculture.
Upon her retirement from farming, she worked for Dr. Donald M. Oakman as a dental assistant until 2005. Following that, she and her husband Ross developed the Wishmere Acres housing development at the base of Jacks Mountain, where they have enjoyed their home since 1974.
She was a faithful farm wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, that loved God, her family, neighbors and the Kishacoquillas Valley.
Her memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 9, 2022 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Allensville with Pastor Mike Sigler officiating. Burial will take place following the service at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery. Her family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Saturday.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, PO Box 163, Allensville, PA 17002 or to Huntingdon County Humane Society, 11371 School House Hollow Road, Huntingdon, PA 16652.
Arrangements are under the care of Henderson Funeral Home, Belleville, PA. Online condolences may be offered at www.hendersonfuneralhomes.net.
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