Jamie Rechelle Metzinger

Jamie Rechelle Metzinger, 41, of West Lafayette, passed away Saturday, January 29, 2023, at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.  She was born October 1, 1981, in Lafayette to Robert “Bob” Metzinger and the late Barbara “Bobbie” (Windler) Metzinger.

She is survived by her father, Bob Metzinger; 2 sisters, Tracy (Kit) Morris of Templeton and Shannon (Matt Wolverton) Metzinger of Chalmers; 4 nieces and nephews, Hope (Dan) Cable of Delphi, Nick McMasters of Converse, Philip (Emma) McMasters of Crawfordsville, Elsie (Tyler) Burdine of Monticello; 2 great-nephews, Luke Cable of Delphi and Henry Burdine of Monticello.   Jamie leaves behind many, many dear friends, extended family members and her fur babies, Charlie and Snoopy.

Along with her mother, Bobbie Metzinger, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robbie Metzinger.

She lived a full life in her short 41 years!  Friends have called her a force of nature, a warrior and a bad ass.   She had a sense of adventure that led her to sky diving, white water rafting and traveling within and outside of the US.  She was a member of the Lafayette Roller Derby Club.  She enjoyed arts and crafts – designing & selling jewelry, crochet, needlework and beadwork.  She used her artistic ability to design her own tattoos as well.  She had a unique sense of humor and could find a connection to “Bob’s Burgers” in almost any situation.   She volunteered with CFF, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Indiana Voices of Women.

After graduating Benton Central High School, she earned an associate’s degree in Drafting and Design Technology at Ivy Tech. She began her career at a local home improvement store, designing kitchens and bathrooms for residential customers.  In 2007, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Building Construction Management at Purdue and went to work with Hagerman & Company as an on-site project engineer.   Jamie earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from Marylhurst University, taught courses as an adjunct faculty member at Ivy Tech, and worked part-time with Huston Electric.  She then earned a Ph.D. in Purdue Polytechnic’s School of Construction Management Technology in August 2017.   She was an Assistant Professor at Indiana State University and developed course curriculum for Purdue University.  Throughout her education, she earned numerous scholarships and awards including, Sigma Beta Delta and Phi Thera Kappa Society.  She was named an Ivy Tech distinguished alumna in 2017.

While living this extraordinary life, Jamie also fiercely fought Cystic Fibrosis.  After many treatments, therapies and hospitalizations, she had a double lung transplant in 2014.  Her family and friends are tremendously grateful for the extra time we were able to spend with her.  Thank you to Riley Children’s Hospital, IU Methodist Hospital, the transplant team, the CF clinic, and all of the doctors and nurses that helped with her life-long care!

Memorial contributions in Jamie’s name may be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Indiana – checks may be made to CFF of Indiana, 8445 Keystone Crossing, Suite 135, Indianapolis, IN, to Indiana Donor Network, 3760 Guion Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46222 or to Caring Bridge at https://www.caringbridge.org/about-us/get-involved/donate/

Please join the family in Celebrating Jamie’s amazing life with a memorial visitation held from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm, Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Soller-Baker, West Lafayette Chapel, 1184 Sagamore Pkwy West, West Lafayette, IN 47906.

Interment will be held at a later date.