Vivian Faye Chetister was born to Leta Scott and Ralph Chetister on December 29, 1913 in Toledo, Ohio. When her parents divorced in
1922, she remained with her mother, who subsequently married Albert Mohr. The
family lived in Toledo, Ohio. Vivian was baptized and confirmed in the
Christian church. Photographs confirm this; however, I have uncovered no data
indicating which denomination. Sometime after the death of Albert Mohr, Vivian
and her younger brother Dale moved in with their father Ralph Chetister, who
was living with his parents, Lewis and Ida (Gerringer) Chetister in East
Toledo. She attended Waite High School, where she was an honor student whose
education focused on office assistance. She graduated in 1931.
Vivian married Edward Roy Metzker on September 5, 1936 in
Lucas County, Ohio. She was 23 years old, and he was 22. He was a glasscutter,
and she worked in an attorney’s office. Shortly after their marriage under the
recommendation of Vivian’s employer, they bought a $300 plot of land in Oregon
Township, in a neighborhood that was eventually called Eastmoreland. The
newlyweds, however, took up residence in a rented house on Dearborn Avenue in
Oregon Township, very near to the home or Edward’s parents, William and Anna
Metzker. The pair attended First St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, located on Grasser
Street not too far from their home on Dearborn Avenue.
On January 17, 1939, Vivian gave birth to their first child,
Donald Edward Metzker. In her young adult life, Vivian held a number of jobs,
including serving as an au pair for a family that traveled and as a secretary
in an attorney’s office. From the time Donald was born, she became a full-time
mother and homemaker.
While Edward served as a contractor with the Navy from
1942-1945, Vivian and Donald lived sometimes with her mother Leta (who was
married to Robert Fields), sometimes with Edward’s parents William and Anna,
and sometimes on their own.
In 1948, Edward and his father William (called “Pop”) built a 1,750
square foot house on the piece of land Edward and Vivian had purchased after
their marriage.
On June 30, 1951, Vivian gave birth to their second child,
Larry Alan, and on August 24, 1953, she gave birth to their daughter Linda
Leigh.
Vivian and Ed Metzker were prominent members of First St.
Mark’s Lutheran Church, in Oregon Township, and subsequently in the City of
Oregon. She was active in social clubs.
In 1960, Donald married Patricia Jean Curry, daughter of
William and Laura Ellen Curry. The couple had three children—Jeffrey (1961),
Jerry (1963), and Michelle (1965). In June of 1973, Larry married Linda Jo
Phipps. The couple had two children—Courtney (1979) and Ryan (1982).
In 1967, Vivian joined Ed on a trip to Europe. His purpose was
to visit several Champion Spark Plug factories, but they also used the time for
an extended tour, visiting Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany,
Austria, Switzerland, and England. The trip was cut short when Ed’s mother Anna
Metzker passed away and the couple returned home.
No comments:
Post a Comment