Philip N Metcalfe

Philip N. Metcalfe

October 3, 1942 – September 6, 2022

Philip Nyle Metcalfe, 79, passed away September 6th, 2022 at the Einstein-Montgomery Hospital in East Norriton, Pennsylvania.

Philip was born October 3rd, 1942 in Muncie, Indiana, the eldest of four sons, to Herbert Nyle Metcalfe and Sylvia Juanita (Richardson) Metcalfe.

Phil was raised in Springport, Indiana on the family farm. He lived with his grandparents, James Leslie Richardson, and Sylvia Druzilla (Hoskinson) Richardson and his mother in his early years, when his dad, Herbert Metcalfe was serving overseas in the U.S. Military. Phil spent much of his time growing up with the chores and responsibilities of baling hay, milking cows, and gathering eggs. But, the best days of all included helping Grandpa Richardson drive the Allis-Chalmers tractor.

Phil was a commendable student, graduating from Mount Summit High School, in Mount Summit, Indiana. He participated in the Latin Club and Future Farmers of America. He was elected the Senior Class President for the graduating class of 1960. After receiving a full-scholarship, he attended Olivet Nazarene College in Kankakee, Illinois where he met his future bride and lifelong partner, Edith E. (Sparks) Metcalfe. They met in a BBQ line at the Dining Hall at Olivet during the orientation to the 1960 Fall semester. They married June 23, 1962 and recently celebrated their “Diamond Jubilee Anniversary” June 23, 2022. This remarkable achievement reflected their unconquerable love and enduring commitment to each other. He graduated from Olivet Nazarene College in 1964.

Answering God’s call to service, Phil continued his education, attending Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. There, he earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1967 which was subsequently exchanged for an earned Master of Divinity degree in 1971. He attended classes during the day and worked at night for the local Police Department’s Major Case Unit, typing witness reports. He often called his new bride at home reminding her to lock the doors.

In 1967, Phil accepted his first ministry assignment at West Mifflin Terrace Nazarene Church near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1971, after serving the congregation for 4 years, Phil transferred to First Church of the Nazarene in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Three years later, in 1974, he accepted his final pastoral assignment at the Royersford Church of the Nazarene in Royersford, Pennsylvania where he led the church until 1981. After much prayer, soul-searching, and seeking counsel from his mentors, Phil transitioned his career to become a licensed Insurance Agent for Allstate, although his service for Our Lord continued. His spiritual gift of pastor/teacher was never lost. He continued to teach a large adult Sunday School class (Shekinah) at the Fairview Village Church of the Nazarene, Eagleville, Pennsylvania. Despite leaving a career in full-time ministry, and more than 40 years later, congregational families from all 3 churches where he served continued to reach out to Phil Metcalfe to request his participation in both marriages and family funerals. Evidence and a loving testament to Phil Metcalfe’s church leadership and relationship-building and relationship-sustaining character.

After retiring from Allstate Insurance April 1, 2008, and not yet ready for the rocking chair, Phil accepted the role as a part-time trip driver for Wolfington Bus Company, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania until his final retirement in 2017. Thereafter, he committed his time and his talents to photographing, videotaping, and creating movies of his growing grand-daughters and family events.

Philip Metcalfe was genuinely loved and will be greatly missed.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, and a daughter, Jill Heather Metcalfe. He was also preceded in death by a step-mother, Louise (Skinner) Metcalfe, and step-brothers, David Skinner of Manteno, Illinois and Jerry Skinner of Marion, Indiana.

Survivors include his beloved wife Edith E. (Sparks) Metcalfe, eldest daughter and son-in-law Madonna L. (Metcalfe) Davison and Robert E. Davison and granddaughters, Sullivan Jill Nowak and Kendall Grace Nowak of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania and step-granddaughter Melissa Davison currently residing in Thailand. Also, a youngest daughter and son-in-law Yvonne E. (Metcalfe) Greer and Jimm C. Greer of Ramona, California, and step-grandson, Sean Michael Greer. Also remaining are Wayne Metcalfe and wife Janet Metcalfe of Springport, Indiana, Nelson Metcalfe and wife Marta Metcalfe of Middletown, Indiana, and Stephen Metcalfe and wife Debbie Metcalfe of Springport, Indiana as well as a step-sister Marjorie (Skinner) Baldwin and husband Marvin Baldwin of Portland, Indiana.

Interment will be private, but please join the family for a Celebration of Life Service on September 26, 2022 at 2:00pm at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester, PA. Light Refreshments will follow at the church in Spellman Hall.