February 2, 2004

Father Leo Metcko

Father Metcko was born on Dec. 22, 1913 in Cincinnati, OH and studied for the priesthood at Duns Scotus College, Detroit, MI and at Holy Family Monastery, Oldenburg, IN. He was ordained on Feb. 24, 1943 for the St. John the Baptist Province of the Order of Friars Minor after which he served as an assistant pastor in New Mexico, Ohio, and at St. Anthony Parish, Wichita, and as pastor at St. Anthony Parish, Wichita, and in Roswell, NM. In 1967 he transferred to the Diocese of Wichita and was chaplain of Mt. Carmel Hospital in Pittsburg, KS for 22 years. In 1998 he retired and lived in residence at Sacred Heart Parish in Frontenac and in 1992 he moved to the Priest Retirement Center in Wichita. Fr. Metcko died on Feb. 2, 2004 at 90 years of age and with 60 years in the priesthood. Bishop Emeritus Eugene Gerber was celebrant and homilist of his funeral Mass at the St. Elizabeth Chapel in the Catholic Care Center in Wichita.