Elwood - Former Elwood Mayor Philip K. Metzger, a Republican who served one term, has died. He was 51.
"He was happy, fun-loving, jolly," said family friend Jill Cole. "He was likable and liked people. He had a big heart."
Metzger died Tuesday at Clarian North Medical Center in Carmel, and funeral arrangements were pending through Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood.
Cole said Metzger had undergone hernia surgery Tuesday morning at the hospital and that doctors said the procedure had gone well and his wife could see him in a short time. He was in recovery when he died, and an autopsy will likely be performed, Cole said.
"Complications arose in recovery," she said. "And that's about it. We don't know anything more about it."
Metzger and his wife, Francie Metzger, had just celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary over the weekend, and the couple had planned to move to Cape Coral, Florida, on July 1, Cole said.
Metzger was Elwood's mayor from 2000 to 2004, losing to Democrat Merrill Taylor in the 2003 general election.
Republican Madison County Commissioner John Richwine said he became friends with Metzger.
"Phil was a great guy," Richwine said. "He enjoyed life and his friends and having a good time."
Besides his wife, Metzger is survived by two grown children from a previous marriage, Emily and Chad, Cole said.
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