John "Buzz" Metallic

John “Buzz” Metallic, doting husband, steady pontoon captain, whiskey connoisseur, accomplished businessman, father of nine and grandfather to dozens and great-grandfather to many, died in the evening on Christmas Day 2018.

Born in the Haughville neighborhood of Indianapolis, Buzz was educated at Holy Trinity School. It was in the school-gym-turned-roller-rink where he developed a love for roller skating. Buzz’s family was part of the parish’s Slovenian community; his father came from Slovenia as a child, and his mother was the child of Eastern European immigrants. Their love for potica bread was passed on to Buzz, and the bread continues to be a Christmas and Easter tradition in the family.

From Holy Trinity, Buzz went on to study at Cathedral High School and later Notre Dame University. He enlisted in the Marines during World War II, reaching sergeant status, serving in Okinawa, Japan as an air radar technician. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, Buzz was able to return to Notre Dame after his service and completed his studies in electrical engineering.

Upon graduation, he returned to Indianapolis, where his father introduced him to his future wife and life partner, Evelyn Scheidler, a Purdue University graduate from Hartford City, IN. The two married in her hometown in unseasonably warm weather on February 11, 1950.

As their family began to grow, he used his skills as an electrical engineer to found the Metallic Electric Company. He started the company in his basement, dressing up in a tie and pressed shirt every day before heading into the basement to develop his business plan. His persistence paid off, and eventually the company grew beyond the basement and into its brick and mortar location on 30th Street.

While he kept busy for many years raising his family and running his business, he made full use of his retirement and had many beloved hobbies. His favorite place in the world was his cottage on Lake Lemon, and he enjoyed sailing and boating around the southern Indiana lake. He was the ultimate handyman, and had the skill and patience to fix nearly anything. Alongside his friends, he caught coho salmon in Lake Michigan, and enjoyed playing in a bridge club along with his wife Evie. In addition to roller skating, he enjoyed tennis and ice skating, and built a vast collection of model airplanes. He was a masterful woodworker, building sturdy porch swings for each of his children who lived in the Indianapolis area. He was an avid Notre Dame football fan, and enjoyed attending the football games of his sons and grandsons. Buzz had a voracious appetite, and particularly enjoyed chili and steaks, and of course a glass of his drink of choice — whiskey.

Buzz was a quiet, but active volunteer.  He had several activities that were his favorites.  Buzz used to help light up the night with the electrical wiring for the St. Michael’s festival.  He was a volunteer for many years working for St. Vincent DePaul where he could be found in their truck  picking up donated items or working on the loading dock.  He was an assistant CYO coach and worked the Ritter Bingo fundraisers back in the day.  He was always quietly helping others, especially with electrical work.

Buzz is survived by his wife Evelyn, to whom he was an unfailingly loving and devoted partner, and his children: Greg (and Gerri) Metallic, Ann (and Mark) DiSalvo, Joe (and Donna) Metallic, Joan (and Mike) Cahill, Brian (and Julie) Metallic, John Metallic, Pat (and Melissa) Metallic, and Maria (and Tim) Beach, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and siblings: Shirley (Jack) Bates, Ronnie (Mary Ann) Matelic.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Lillian (and Tom) Kelly, his daughter and son-in-law Christine and Michael Kasle, and grandson Alexander Beach.

The family would like to thank his caregivers Adriana, Anna, Gavis, Maria, Luanna. Laura and Diana for providing him with compassionate care in the last years of his life.

The visitation will be on Monday, December 31st from 10AM-12PM at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Indianapolis, IN (3354 West 30th Street).  A funeral Mass will follow at noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that contributions be made to one of the following:  St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 3354 West 30th Street, Indianapolis, IN   46222; The Society of St Vincent DePaul, 3001 E. 30th Street. Indianapolis, IN 46218 or http://www.svdpindy.org;  Pro-Life Action League , 6160 N. Cicero Ave. Ste. 600 Chicago, IL 60646