Obituary for Paul R. Hetrick Sr.
Paul R. Hetrick, Sr., 87, of Hummelstown, passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Palmyra on December 14, 1929, he was the son of the late Robert L. Hetrick and Grace E. Seavers Kreider.
Paul was a sales representative for Prudential Life Insurance, and later started the Hummelstown Area Answering Service and D&R Apparel, also in Hummelstown. He was a graduate of Hershey High School and attended the former Hershey Junior College. Paul was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hummelstown, serving on church council in the past and as a Sunday school teacher. Paul was an U.S. Air Force veteran, having served as a sergeant during the Korean War. He also served as a deputy coroner and deputy sheriff for Dauphin County. Paul was a Republican committeeman for 60 years and was voted to serve as Republican Area Leader, a position he held for 52 years.
Paul was a pillar of the Hummelstown community for most of his life. He served on Borough Council for four years, and as Tax Collector for eight years. He was also chairman of the former Hummelstown Ambulance for over 30 years, as well as a volunteer firefighter with the Hummelstown Fire Company. Paul was an inspiring leader and dedicated community steward who put his heart and soul into the community and its citizens. He will be deeply missed, not only by his family, but by the community as a whole.
Paul was a member of the American Legion Post 265, Hummelstown, and chairman of the Hummelstown, West Hanover, South Hanover, and East Hanover 4-H’s. In his leisure time, Paul enjoyed hunting, horseback riding, swimming, and playing hockey for the Junior League of the Hershey Bears. He found great pleasure in spending time with his family, especially when watching his grandchildren play their various sports.
In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Diane Finney Hetrick; a grandson, Jordan J. Higgins; and a sister, Jeanette DeFrehn.
He is survived by his three daughters, Donna E. Hetrick of Harrisburg, Jana M. Higgins wife of Martin F. of Hummelstown, and Diana J. Ellis wife of Gordon M. of Mount Joy; one son, Dr. Paul R. Hetrick, Jr. of Middletown; four grandchildren, Bryan T. Higgins of Hummelstown, Zachary R. Higgins of Hummelstown, Connor A. Higgins of Steelton, and Delani L. Higgins also of Hummelstown.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 18, 2017, at 11 AM in Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 West Main Street, Hummelstown, with The Rev. Lois K. Van Orden, his pastor, officiating. Interment with military honors will be in the Hummelstown Cemetery. Viewings will be held on Sunday, December 17, 2017, from 1 to 4 PM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, and again on Monday in the church’s parlor from 10 AM until time of the service.
A reception will be held at Historic Acres of Hershey, 3425 Old Hershey Road, Elizabethtown, following the service at the graveside.
The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 West Main Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036; or Hummelstown Cemetery Association, 186 South Railroad Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036; or Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.
Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.
Born in Palmyra on December 14, 1929, he was the son of the late Robert L. Hetrick and Grace E. Seavers Kreider.
Paul was a sales representative for Prudential Life Insurance, and later started the Hummelstown Area Answering Service and D&R Apparel, also in Hummelstown. He was a graduate of Hershey High School and attended the former Hershey Junior College. Paul was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hummelstown, serving on church council in the past and as a Sunday school teacher. Paul was an U.S. Air Force veteran, having served as a sergeant during the Korean War. He also served as a deputy coroner and deputy sheriff for Dauphin County. Paul was a Republican committeeman for 60 years and was voted to serve as Republican Area Leader, a position he held for 52 years.
Paul was a pillar of the Hummelstown community for most of his life. He served on Borough Council for four years, and as Tax Collector for eight years. He was also chairman of the former Hummelstown Ambulance for over 30 years, as well as a volunteer firefighter with the Hummelstown Fire Company. Paul was an inspiring leader and dedicated community steward who put his heart and soul into the community and its citizens. He will be deeply missed, not only by his family, but by the community as a whole.
Paul was a member of the American Legion Post 265, Hummelstown, and chairman of the Hummelstown, West Hanover, South Hanover, and East Hanover 4-H’s. In his leisure time, Paul enjoyed hunting, horseback riding, swimming, and playing hockey for the Junior League of the Hershey Bears. He found great pleasure in spending time with his family, especially when watching his grandchildren play their various sports.
In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Diane Finney Hetrick; a grandson, Jordan J. Higgins; and a sister, Jeanette DeFrehn.
He is survived by his three daughters, Donna E. Hetrick of Harrisburg, Jana M. Higgins wife of Martin F. of Hummelstown, and Diana J. Ellis wife of Gordon M. of Mount Joy; one son, Dr. Paul R. Hetrick, Jr. of Middletown; four grandchildren, Bryan T. Higgins of Hummelstown, Zachary R. Higgins of Hummelstown, Connor A. Higgins of Steelton, and Delani L. Higgins also of Hummelstown.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 18, 2017, at 11 AM in Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 West Main Street, Hummelstown, with The Rev. Lois K. Van Orden, his pastor, officiating. Interment with military honors will be in the Hummelstown Cemetery. Viewings will be held on Sunday, December 17, 2017, from 1 to 4 PM in the Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, and again on Monday in the church’s parlor from 10 AM until time of the service.
A reception will be held at Historic Acres of Hershey, 3425 Old Hershey Road, Elizabethtown, following the service at the graveside.
The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 West Main Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036; or Hummelstown Cemetery Association, 186 South Railroad Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036; or Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.
Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.