HETRICK, BERNARD

Bernard E. “Tink” Hetrick, of Reynoldsville, passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. He was born August 1, 1937 at his home in Hormtown, PA. His parents were Elmer Martin Hetrick and Kathryn Annabelle Burkhouse. He grew up on a farm with his parents and siblings, Margaret (Richard) Stover, Doris (Joe) Dickey, Robert (Sandy), Thomas, Harry (Darla), and LuAnn (Paul) Haugh.

Tink wore many hats throughout his life. He was in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1958 as an aircraft mechanic. While serving, he traveled all over the U.S. and sailed to Guam, Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong and China on the U.S.S. Yorktown.

Upon his discharge he attended electronic school in Chicago, worked as a milkman for Modern Dairy, worked at Jackson China and helped on the family farm before he got a job working road construction. He helped to build Interstate 80 from the Reynoldsville exit to the Falls Creek bypass as well as other highways from 1964 to 1969 before working his own excavation company for several years. He attended auctioneer school in 1980 and had his own auction business with the help of his family and friends until 1986. He ran for the office of district magistrate in 1985 and held the office for three terms from 1986 to 2003 before retiring.

Tink was the caring and ever helpful father of four children, Stephen, Sue (Mark) Meholick of Reynoldsville, Sherry Bailey of Hormtown, and Sheryl Scarnati of McKinney, TX.

Of all the hats he wore, that of Grandpa Tink, or GPT, was his favorite. He was a loving, doting, drop-everything-and-run kind of grandpa for his nine grandchildren: Bret, Quinn, Andy, Lisa, Adam, Kelly, Victoria, Nicole, and Michael. He had four great grandchildren that will enjoy many stories of him for years to come.

Tink was a colorful character who made people laugh. He often had words of wisdom to share as well as stories that were either humorous or thought provoking. He was a good friend to many and was always willing to help where help was needed.

He was an avid baseball fan, especially the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was very instrumental in his younger years in starting The Federation League of baseball in his community. He was a Past Master (1975) of the John M. Read Masonic Lodge #536 and a long time member of the Free Accepted Masons.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Margaret, an infant sister, brothers Thomas and Harry, his son Steve, and his granddaughter Lisa.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, January 26, 2024, from 4pm to 8pm at the Snyder – d’Argy Funeral Home, 206 E. Main Street, Reynoldsville, PA 15851. Family and close friends are welcome to come and celebrate Tink’s life on Saturday, January 27, 2024, also at the funeral home, beginning at 10am. Military Honor’s will be rendered by the DuBois Area Honor Guard.

Final interment will take place at Emerickville Methodist (Moore) Cemetery, Pinecreek Twp., Jefferson Co., PA. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Hormtown Community Center, in care of Sherry Bailey, 1340 Apple Orchard Road, Reynoldsville, PA 15851, or to the DuBois Area Honor Guard, PO Box 907, DuBois, PA 15801. Online condolences and other information may be found by visiting www.dargyfh.com