Howard “Craig” Metcalf, 71, of Pleasantville, passed away peacefully November 19 at Taylor House surrounded by his loving family. Craig was born June 29, 1950 in Knoxville, Iowa the son of Howard Dean and Anna Marie (Van Ryswyk) Metcalf.

Craig married the love of his life Joyce (Harvey) by eloping to Centralia, Missouri on June 23, 1973. To this union two sons were born Mike and Brad, and he was a lifelong resident of Pleasantville where he raised his family.

Craig graduated from Pleasantville High School in 1969. He worked for the Des Moines Register delivering papers, Gilderbloom Grocery Store, Vander Linden Brothers Construction, and retired after 38-years from the 132nd Iowa Air National Guard Fighter Wing with a ranking of Chief Master Sergeant. He was deployed twice to Operation Northern Watch in Turkey and also to Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. He also served in the community of Pleasantville as a trustee of the Christian Church, member of the American Legion Post 108, and served on the Pleasantville School Board many years.

In his spare time, Craig enjoyed going out dancing with Joyce, mushroom hunting, fishing, hunting, camping, playing pitch, vacationing in Florida, gardening, keeping an immaculate yard that didn’t have a blade of grass out of place, restoring antiques, woodworking, genealogy, singing, spending time with his family (which he was extremely proud of) and watching his grandkids participate in activities and many other hobbies that are too numerous to mention. Craig won the Bill Riley Talent Show and was selected as the Cookout King at the Iowa State Fair.

Those left to cherish Craig’s memory are his wife of 48-years Joyce Metcalf; sons: Mike (Lindsay) Metcalf, Brad (Jessica) Metcalf all of Pleasantville; four grandchildren: Cody, Carter, Colton and Clara and sister, Bobbi (Mark) Milledge of Pleasantville.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Anna Marie Metcalf.

Burial, with Military Honors, will be held at Pleasantville Cemetery.



Memorials may be directed to the Pleasantville Christian Church D.O.C. or to the Pleasantville American Legion Post 108.