05/08/2014

Association loses two long-time members.

Two long-time association members, Joe Metzger and Dick Olberding have died.  Their contributions to the printing industry in Ohio cannot be overstated and they will be greatly missed.  Please take a moment to view the following obituaries and perhaps extend your condolences to the families.

Richard "Dick" F. Olberding passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 7, 2014 age 88. Devoted father of Kathy (Marty Palmerton) Olberding, Steve (Sue) Olberding, Lori (Dave Gardner) Riestenberg-Gardner, David (Heidi) Olberding and Jane (Mitch) Westfall. Cherished grandfather of Angela and Sarah Barbara, Jen, Chris, Anthony and Catilin Olberding, Bryan, Alex, Faye (Nick) and Eva Riestenberg, Amanda, Nick and Ben Westfall. Great grandfather of Henry Morman and Matthew Doland). 

He was preceded in death by his son-in-law Tom Riestenberg and grandson David Riestenberg. Also survived by his mother-in-law, Mary Truax, sister Jean (Bob) Scheid, and brother Tony (Phyllis) Olberding. 

Richard was a world traveler and the former President of Phototype. He joined Phototype in 1950. He became sole owner when he purchased his Uncle Ed Lemker's shares in 1952. He worked as Phototypes patriarch for 63 years, growing the business to 250 employees with four locations in the U.S., one in the U.K. and one in Shanghai. 

Visitation will be on Sunday, May 11 at Gilligan Funeral Home 2926 Woodburn Ave., 45206 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A celebration of mass will be Monday May 12, 2014 at St. Francis de Sales church at 1600 Madison Rd., at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tom and David Riestenberg memorial Fund at Elder High School, 3900 Vincent Ave., 45205. 

Condolences may be expressed at GilliganFuneralHomes.com

 

Joseph J. Metzger, 50, who focused on growth by diversifying the typesetting business his father founded, died Monday in Hospice of Northwest Ohio, South Detroit Avenue. He learned he had colon cancer in November, 2011.

He was in his teens when he started working for his father, Norbert, who founded Metzger Type House in 1976 near downtown Toledo. He started full-time work after his 1982 graduation from St. John's Jesuit High School. The business has since relocated to expanded quarters in South Toledo. The three Metzqer brothers became co-owners when their father retired in 1996. Mr. Metzger's strong suit matched the company's needs.

Customers with computers, for instance, were less likely to need typesetting in 1996 than in 1976. "He was the marketing and sales and the idea guy," his brother Tom said. "He was constantly looking for ways for us to diversify into other services for our customers." In running the business, and personally, the brothers were simpatico. "We were best partners, best friends, best brothers," his brother said. "We just read each other so well and did everything so well. He was so outgoing, and I'm the inside guy, the operations guy, and we met in the middle all the time, and that's what made the business great."

Learning of Joe's illness a few years ago gave Metzgers the opportunity to prepare for the future, and over the last two years they implemented a succession plan. As a result, Metzgers will remain a strong, family-owned business.

"Our company will continue to thrive with the recent arrival of a third generation of Metzgers. Joe's son, John Metzger, comes to us with a degree in Business and Marketing from the University of Toledo. And my son, Tony Metzger, joined us recently with a degree in Operations Management from the University of Dayton," said Tom Metzger. 

Joe and his wife Dana had four children, ages 13 through 22. Mr. Metzger was president and with his brother, Tom - the chief operating officer - a co-owner. He was inducted into the 2010 Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame.

Mr. Metzger of Sylvania was born Feb. 22, 1964, and grew up in South Toledo. He attended the University of Toledo. His brother Richard, who also worked at the business, died in 2005.

Surviving are his wife, Dana, whom he married Aug. 12, 1989; sons, John, Mark, and Kevin; daughter, Kelly; mother, Patricia Metzger; sisters, Cathy Plante and Connie Flahie, and brother, Tom.

Visitation will be from 1-9 p.m. Thursday in the Ansberg-West Funeral Home. Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday in St. Joseph Church, Sylvania, where he was a member. Arrangements are by the Walker Funeral Home. The family suggests tributes to the Joe Metzger Memorial for youth athletics in care of the Catholic Youth Organization at the Diocese of Toledo, 1933 Spielbusch Ave.