Erik Allen Metzler

Erik Allen Metzler, 31, of Cape Coral, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011, following an extended illness. He was born April 5, 1979, in Hackensack, N.J., and moved to Cape Coral from Vernon, N.J., in 1989. He graduated from Mariner High School in 1997 where he played football and was on the wrestling team. He received a football scholarship from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Ill., where he received his bachelor of arts degree in 2001. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of three years, Lindsay A. Metzler of Cape Coral; his daughter, Lilly A. Metzler; his mother, Gwynne Hickman of Cape Coral; his father, Mark Metzler of Cape Coral; and two sisters, Brooke Yahle of West Milton, Ohio, and Brittany Metzler of Cape Coral.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 15, at Faith Presbyterian Church, 4544 Coronado Parkway, Cape Coral, with the Rev. Dr. H. Timothy Halvorson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: ALS Association, Florida Chapter, 3242 Parkside Center Circle, Tampa, FL 33619, or online at: www.alsafl.org.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Online condolences may be made at: www.fortmyersmemorial.com .