Miss R. Eloise Metzger,  88, of the John C. Proctor Endowment Home in Peoria, Illinois passed away Jan. 28, 2014, at her home. She was formerly a longtime resident of Pekin.

She was born Nov. 1, 1925, in Shobonier to Harry F. and Myrtle M. (Emerson) Metzger.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, H. Wayne Metzger and Donald E. Metzger; and one nephew, Timmy Metzger.

She is survived by one nephew and three nieces.

A 1947 graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Spanish, she received her Master of Arts Degree in Spanish there in 1952. She also studied at Middlebury College School of Spanish in Middlebury, Vt., the National University of Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico, The Interamerican University in Saltillo, Mexico, and the University of Barcelona in Spain. While at the University of Illinois, she received the scholarship key and was a member of Sigma Delta Pi, a national Spanish honorary society.

Miss Metzger was a Spanish instructor at Pekin Community High School for 31 years, retiring in 1980, where she served 23 years as Foreign Language Coordinator. She then worked as a Tazewell County Court Interpreter and substitute teacher. She had also taught at East Richland Community High School in Olney. She was a member emeritus of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, where she was also a member and past president of the Illinois chapter. She was a member and former chairman of the Spanish Section of Illinois Foreign Language Teachers Association and a member of the Central States Foreign Language Teachers Association. She was a life member of the National Education Association, The National and Illinois retired teachers associations and the Alumni Association at the University of Illinois. She also was a member of the Tazewell County Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma and Community Concert Association.

She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, where she was a former member of the Church Council. She also was a member of United Methodist Women, Priscilla Circle and the Tri-M Adult Sunday School Class, all at the church.

Her funeral held at Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, the Rev. Gary L. Ford will officiating  Graveside services at Farmers Cemetery in Shobonier.