Metta Tomlinson Lansdale Jr.

Metta Tomlinson Lansdale Jr. Metta died on July 13, 2022 at home in Traverse City due to the recurrence of cancer. She was born in Shaker Heights, Ohio on August 28, 1947 to John and Metta Virginia Tomlinson Lansdale. Following High School, Metta attended Transylvania College and graduated with a BA in English Literature. After working a short time at the Cleveland Library, she attended the University of Michigan and graduated with a MA in Library Science. Metta had a long career as a librarian, first as the director of a small medical library in Ann Arbor, a short time with the Michigan eLibrary system, followed by public library service as director of the Chelsea District Library, the Royal Oak Public Library, and finally the Traverse Area District Library. She was a certified Professional Librarian and a member of the American Library Association and the Michigan Library Association, and was a member of the board certifying Professional Librarians. Before retiring, Metta was also a member of the Rotary Club in Royal Oak and Traverse City. Metta had many fond memories of growing up with her four sisters, visiting family in Texas and Maryland, and later vacationing together. Her sisters have especially enjoyed her move to Traverse City. In Ann Arbor, Metta spent many years singing with the St. Andrew’s choir and the University Musical Societies Choral Union. It’s also where she met and married her husband, George Sperlbaum. They have two grown children, George III (Rachel Peariso) of Charleston, SC and Metta Virginia Spaeth (Christian) of Portland,OR. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister, Helen. Surviving in addition to her husband and children are sisters Chloe Pitard (David) of Easton, MD, Mary Hartmann of Oceanview, DE, and Sally Lansdale (Stan Wisniewski) of Omaha, NE, and many nieces and nephews. Please join the family for a gathering at the Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2022. A service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church on Thursday, July 28 at 10:30 a.m. A gift in Metta’s memory may be made to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States, Inc. Metta and her family are being cared for by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Metta Tomlinson Lansdale Jr.

August 28, 1947 - July 13, 2022