We Remember

Dec. 7, 2025. I was informed today that Pat Metcalf had passed away. Very Sad.

Patrick L. "Pa​

Pat.jpg

t" Metcalf Obituary​

Bellville — Patrick L. “Pat” Metcalf, 75, of Bellville passed away unexpectedly at his home Wednesday, October 29, 2025, leaving behind a legacy built with precision, passion, and love for his family.

Born November 24, 1949, in Mansfield to Richard and Thelma (Meyer) Metcalf, Pat grew up in the Clear Fork Valley where he graduated from Clear Fork High School in 1967. A proud Colt, Pat wrestled and played football, forming lifelong friendships on and off the field. He continued his education at Bowling Green State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts Education in 1971.

Pat worked for Abbott Laboratories in Ashland as a Project Manager. Following his retirement, he worked at Deer Ridge Golf Course. He was never shy about sharing his wisdom. His advice often came wrapped in one-liners—his famous saying, “Don’t jack with a Mac when you’re just a Jeep,” still resonates among family and friends.

Whether from the bleachers or the sidelines, everyone knew when Pat was in the stands. He was the loudest cheerleader, the unofficial referee, and the proudest supporter of his grandchildren. His love for them was vast and his encouragement unending.

Precision wasn’t just a quality Pat admired—it defined him. A skilled marksman, he competed in Benchrest Rifle competitions across the country, where accuracy was measured in hundredths of an inch. Pat consistently ranked among the best, shooting impressive groups at 100 and 200 yards. For more than 30 years, he was a devoted member of the Chippewa Rifle Club, serving as a board member and holding multiple positions through the years. Reloading his own ammunition to the exact grain, he found both art and science in the sport he loved.

When not at the range, Pat could be found on two wheels, the wind in his face. Whether on a motorcycle or dirt bike, he cherished the freedom of the open road.

He is survived by his children Erin (Matt) Craw of Bellville and Ian (Mindy) Metcalf of Bellville; grandchildren Cleo and Brooks Craw and Colton and Caleb Metcalf; great-grandson Remington; and his significant other, Joan Gemzer.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Metcalf.

Family and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home, 81 Mill Road, Bellville.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Snyder Funeral Homes, to assist the Metcalf family with funeral expenses.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Patrick L. "Pat" Metcalf, please visit our Tree Store.
 
Hunter,
I'm guessing that L.E. has been gone for so long (40 years) the folks now running the business never knew him. When I meet him in 1970, he was pretty much retired. I did make a trip to Cashmere and got the full tour or the shop area, as well as his personal shop separate from the business. He actually had a 100 yd under ground tunnel from his shop area for testing. Showed me all his bullet making presses and dies, of which were really unique! He was quite an individual .
FWIW
Steve Kostanich
 
With so many of our benchrest friends and acquaintances having "left the range," I thought it would be nice to have a somewhat comprehensive list of them. Feel free to post name(s) and date(s) of death of your benchrest friends and acquaintances who have "left the range"; I'll add them to a "master" list below -- that way there will be one "comprehensive" list. (BTW, can any of you give me the year of death and age of some of the guys shown at the bottom of this post whose DOD is unknown to me? If so, I'll reposition their name(s).)

2026
Neil Jones - 88
John Brown - 88

2025
Robert (Bob) Cotton - 81
Gary Long - 81
Robert "Herb" Llewellyn - 72
Francis Becigneul - 85
Pat Metcalf - 75
Tom Rippee - 84

2024
Donovan Moran - 58
Dennis Tinkham - 84
JD Denoff - 72
Keith Christianson - 80
George Waldrip - 84
George Kelbly - 87
Richard (Dick) Spencer - 77
Jack Edward Harper - 90
Wes Burke - 76
Bill Dittman - 86
Bob Martinez
Ralph Council - 78

2023
Joe Maisto - 89
Al (alinwa) Matson - 61
Hal Drake - 52
Margaret (Peggy O'Keefe) Stickley - 58
Glenn Olenick - 61
Ken Lewis - 76
Wayne Lewis - 79
Kay C. Young - 88
Tom Dickson - 85
Carroll Green - 95
Cecil Dale Hutcherson - 86
Joe Kubon - 85

2022
Tommy McKee - 68
Larry Baggett - 78
Bill Forrester - 79
Stan Taylor - 69
Dave Bright - 79
Ricky Read - 69
Mickey Connelly - 82
Cecil Tucker - 86
Todd Tyler - 57
George Lavender - 90
Nick Marino - 80
Dwayne Edelman - 58
Arnold Jewell - 85
Otto Klittich - 93
Bill Gammon - 83
Bob Dodd - 74

2021
Wilbur Harris - 71
Stan Ware - 78
John Verhagen
Bruno Bosso - 62
John Whitley - 57
Albert Clark - 80
Larry McDaniel
Walt Berger - 92
Ed Nazy - 79
Bill Brawand - 86
Ed Hubel - 81
Gilbert Riggins - 89
Ernest "Ernie" Jenderko - 82

2020
Gene Bukys - 73
Manny Garcia - 83
Smiley Hensley - 78
Dan Opel (Canada) - 63
Dave "Flyshooter" Kranch - 73
Mark Engle - 73
Bob Maxson - 75
Hoke Kerns - 90
Fred Sinclair
Ed Hartman - 81
Randy Perkowski - 66
Larry Hanselman - 76
Tom Henderson - 79
William "Bill" Smith - 77
Hugh McCombs - 67
Herb Gibson - 85

2019
Dick Wright - 82
Faye Boyer - 75
Ron Hoehn - 77
Terry Leonard - 76
Jim Hutchison
John Loh - 67
Gerald Forys - 80
Dave Brennan - 81
John Inman - 77
Frank Sweterlitsch - 82
Sid Goodling - 65
Travis Cannon - 72
Dorothy Jamison - 84
Richard Watson - 81
Aaron Calton - 66
Dean Parker - 78
Richard "Sonny Boy" Collins - 84

2018
Allie Euber - 72
Dennis Thornbury - 73
Keith Gantt - 70
Bob Adamowicz - 73
Johanna Gordon - 88
Jim Boettcher - 86
Bob De Monstoy - 90
Dennis Brame - 81
Paul Kempfer - 84
Randy Pumphrey - 73
Jay Sperry - 81
Al Blackwell - 69

2017
Dale Metzger - 68
Tom Libby - 75
Stu Harvey - 86
Bruce Andrews - 69
Dick Grosbier - 72
Dean Parker
Mike Niblett - 71
Kenneth "Ken" Rhyne - 78
Dick McQuisten
Lones Wigger - 80
Wayne Blackketter - 82

2016
Brady Knight - 70
Lowell Hottenstein - 66
Denny Andrews - 74
Brian Albee - 65
Claude Smith - 73
Dominick Denato - 68
Henry Burhman - 74

2015
Ed Shilen - 84
Don Gentner - 77
Marcy Lyons - 80
Richie Friebert - 68
Alex Calder - 70
Clayton Martin - 89
Howard Dietz - 78
Jack Demming - 74
Paul Ryan - 77
Dave Thomas - 72
Mark Ludinsky - 50
Bill Hull - 67
Clayton Brame - 60

2014
Mickey Coleman - 76
Jerry Simison -71
Larry Kuse - 79
Ira Farnsworth - 89
Joe Vinci
Larry Petry - 74
Helen Long - 80
James Pappas - 69

2013
Steve Black - 61
Dick Lockwood
Walter Carraway - 86
Mike Walker - 101
Norman Jones - 71
Vic Swindlehurst - 95
Howard "Snuffy" Smith - 81
Bob Kenderdine - 53
Michael McQuisten
Jon Newman
Bob Prather

2012
Ed Hall - 67
Perry Morton - 63
Olie Olson - 72
Dale Rose - 65
Art "Iron Sides" Kelly
Wally Siebert
Larry D. Cohen - 67
Norm Clark - 68
Butch Kimmell
Joe Haller - 80

2011
Del Bishop - 75
Homer Strickland - 67
Ferris Pindell - 91
Lou Palmisano - 81
David Reynolds - 63
Thomas "Tom" Vanlandingham - 78

2010
Briar Hail - 74
Charles Dalessandro - 66
Vince Pastorella - 73
Henry Vranian - 69

2009
Dave Dohrman - 59
Donald "Don " Sloop - 68
Lee R. Six
Harold McCormick

2008
Shelley (Tinker Toy 30BR) Davidson - 63
Phil Sauer
Manley Oakley - 92
Paul Schmid - 73

2007
MIchelle Sutton - 47
Jef Fowler - 65
Dan Hacket
Ollie Mabry "Doc" Dodgen - 88
Bill Lofink
Clarence Detsch - 84

2006
Ed Watson - 75
Gene Blocker
Selby Wright
Elsworth Smith - 91
Vern Carpenter - 64

2005
Skip Otto
Guy Chism
Dumah Harold Morgan - 75

2004
Eunice Berger - 63
Harold Broughton - 71
Allen Bench - 75

2002
Horace Brotherton - 82

2001
Cecil Gamble - 88
R.G. (Bob) Sherer - 90

2000
Louis Langlinais - 61
Raymond Brunet - 66
L.E. "Red" Cornelison - 77

1999
Homer Culver - 96
Ross Sherman - 96
Myles Hollister - 70

1998
Ed Decker - 86
Gary Pearson

1996
Seely Masker - 83

1995
Gaza Nagy - 74

1986
Nate Boop - 42

1985
Alozono Garcelon - 72
L.E. "Sam" Wilson - 90

DOD Unknown
Aaron Calton
Al Angerman
Al Gonnela (sp?)
Allen Bench
Angie Fazio
Any Reitmeyer
Art Fruend
Barb Shellert
Bill Bates
Bill Saxton
Bill Shjellert (sp?)
Bill Wilkinson
Bud Pryor
Butch Fischer
Dale Fritts
Dave Reynolds
Dean Parker
Dick Knott
Don Judd
Don Spencer
Ed Joiner
Erv Reigles
Erwin Shinkle
Fletcher Williams
Frank L. Murphy
Frank Nash
Gene Craig
George Myer
Grant Pickard
Guy Green
Hank gponnela (sp?)
Henry Dunbar
Jean Claude Gros
Jessie Coder
Jim Pherson
Joe Banard
John Bunch
Jon Newman
Julio Deangelis
Keith Morris
Mac McCluskey
Maurice ( Doc ) Bandy
Marv Roberts
Mike Rydquist
Nels Nelson
Paul Olewine
Paul Wolf
Pierre Condomines
Rich Altemus
Richard Watson
Ron Bradford
Ron Keim
Roy Lememby
Tom Manno (sp?)
Tony Allegra
Uchel Coder (sp?)
Woody Cahill
 
Back
Top