1946 - 2022
John Eric Metli went home to be with his Lord on February 14, 2022. John was born to Palmer and Jean Metli in Sioux Falls, SD on August 14, 1946. He was one of six children. John was raised in a military family and attended 17 schools before graduating from Rapid City High School in Rapid City, SD in 1964. He attended South Dakota School of Mines for one year until he joined the U.S. Army in 1966 and served in Viet Nam as a medical operating room technician.
John met Sherry Smith while stationed at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital and they wed in October 1969. John and Sherry began ranching in 1971 in Ramah, CO on the Smith Ranch and continued on the old homestead until 2013. In 2013, they moved near Matheson, CO where he took up furniture refinishing as a hobby. You only have to be in their home to see his fine work. John was a member of the Elbert County Livestock Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, and Elbert County and Colorado Farm Bureaus.
He served as an Elbert County Commissioner from 2000 – 2009. He also attended First Baptist Church of Simla. Thankful for having shared his life are his wife of 53 years Sherry, 2 brothers and one sister, Michael (Marie) of Sioux Falls, SD, Brian (Barb) of Grand Junction, CO, Gina (Tom Riedner) of Maple Grove, MN; brother-in-law Hank Smith and wife Donna; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Steven, his sister Angela, and three nephews Michael, Thomas, and Matthew.
A visitation will be held Thursday, February 24, 2022 at the Love Funeral Home Chapel in Limon, CO 80828 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Interment will follow on Friday, February 25, 2022 at the Smith Ranch Cemetery in Ramah, CO 80830 at 1:00 pm. Following the burial the Funeral Service will be held Friday, February 25, 2022 at the Exhibit Hall at the Elbert County Fairgrounds in Kiowa, CO 80117 at 3:00 pm with a meal immediately following the service. Memorial Contributions may be sent to the Colorado Cowboy Camp at 25411 County Road 105 in Ramah, CO 80832.
