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CRYSTAL FALLS -- Richard "Dick" Mettlach, 92, of Crystal Falls, passed away on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at the home of his daughter in Farmington Hills, Mich.
He was born April 28, 1934, in Arcadia, Wis., son of the late Peter and Elizabeth (Herrick) Mettlach. He graduated from Arcadia High School in 1952 and went on to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Dick married Carolyn McConaghy on Aug. 4, 1956. She preceded him in death on Nov. 6, 1962.
On July 6, 1963, he married Nancy Pretto. She preceded him in death on July 14, 2019.
Dick taught in the Crystal Falls Forest Park School District for more than 30 years. He also served as the varsity football coach for 35 years. During his tenure, he compiled a career record of 239-73-6 and led the Trojans to numerous conference championships, team-of-the-year honors, appearances in state championship games, won the Barber Trophy in 1965 and state championships in 1975 and 1976. His dedication and success earned him induction into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame, the MHSAA Football Coaches Hall of Fame, and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Hall of Fame, along with several other prestigious coaching awards.
In addition to football, Dick coached baseball, golf, and middle school basketball. The high school golf team won the Upper Peninsula all-class championship in 1967.
An avid golfer himself, Dick was a longtime member of the Crystal Falls Men's Golf Club and won the club championship 21 times. In recognition of his many contributions to area athletics, the Crystal Falls Forest Park athletic field was dedicated in his name in 2000. He was inducted into the Forest Park Achievement Hall of Fame in 2023.
Dick was a sergeant in the United States National Guard, honorably discharged on June 29, 1957.
He was an active member of Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Crystal Falls. Beyond coaching and golf, he took great joy in watching his children and grandchildren compete in their own sporting events over the years.
Dick is survived by his children, Dick (Marty) Mettlach of Casa Grande, Ariz., Kay (Marcus) Tanksley of Farmington Hills, Jean (Larry) Kibler of Magnolia, Texas, Carol (Tom) Martwick of Waukesha, Wis., and Jim (Cristen) Mettlach of Canton, Mich.; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Tom (Kaye) Mettlach and Leonard (Judy) Mettlach; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and his wives, he was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Zanter; and a brother, John "Jack" Mettlach.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Crystal Falls, with Father Daniel Dapaah officiating. A Celebration of Life will follow at Chung's Bar & Grill at the Crystal Falls Golf Course at noon. Burial will take place in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Forest Park Athletic Department or Guardian Angels Catholic Church.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.nashfuneralhome.net.
The family has entrusted arrangements to the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls.