Denise Metzger-Kelling

A funeral service celebrating the life of Denise Metzger-Kelling, age 56, of Hebron, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, at the Kirkersville Chapel of Hoskinson Funeral & Cremation Service with Rev. Steve Hicks officiating. Burial will take place in Jersey Cemetery.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday prior to the service at the funeral home, 285 East Main Street in Kirkersville.

Denise was born January 23, 1968 in Mount Vernon, Ohio. She passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at Riverside Methodist Hospital following a brief illness.

Denise was a 1986 graduate of Western High School in Latham, Ohio and also attended the Vern Riffe Vocational School for 2 years. She was the office manager at First Presbyterian Church in Pataskala for over 30 years. Denise loved decorating, thrift store shopping, and loved to throw theme parties. She was an excellent cook and baker and was especially known for her delicious sugar cookies and macaroni and cheese.

She is survived by her loving husband of 25 years, Craig Kelling, whom she married March 12, 1999; her mother, Elizabeth Dell (Goble) Leahigh of Columbus; sister, Dianna Metzger (Luke Stiffler) of Reynoldsburg; brothers, Donald Metzger, Jr. of Galion and Dane (Lorrie) Metzger of Delaware; several nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews; best friend who was like a sister to her, Angie (Tim) Klinker of Hebron; special friend, Judy Leeth of Hebron; and her beloved dog, Beau.

She was preceded in death by her father, Donald Chester Metzger, Sr.; three brothers, Douglas Michael Metzger, Dustin James Metzger, and David Scott Metzger; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clifford and Marilynn Kelling.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Licking County Humane Society, 825 Thornwood Drive, Heath, OH 43056.

Hoskinson Funeral & Cremation Service in Kirkersville is honored to care for Denise and her family.