Melita S. Hetrick

Melita Sison Hetrick, 49, of Linden, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2015, in her home.

Funeral services will be held on Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the New Hope Bible Church in Front Royal, Virginia, conducted by Pastor Bobby Stepp.  Interment will follow in Shenandoah Memorial Park, Winchester, Virginia.

Melita was born September 13, 1966 to Bernardo P. and Melita S. Tala in Dagupan City, Pangasinen Providence of the Philippine Islands.  She lived there for over three and a half years of her life prior to migrating to the United States of American and becoming a U. S. citizen as her father served in the Department of the U. S. Navy and proudly retired as a Vietnam veteran. She retired from the Federal Government, Department of the Army, after 27 years of dedicated service as a Human Relations Manager.

On October 7, 2006, Melita married the love of her life, Gregory Richard Hetrick.  God had blessed Melita and Greg with a loving son who they cherish and thank God every day for bringing Gain Matthew Hetrick into their lives.

Melita is beloved and remembered by her husband Gregory Hetrick; her son Gavin Matthew Hetrick of Linden, Virginia; her parents Bernardo P. Tala and Melita Sison Tala of Gulfport, Mississippi; and her brothers and sisters Robert “Bob” Tala of San Antonio, Texas, William “Billy” Tala and his wife Sheila “Dede” of Seminary, Mississippi; Sharon Thomas and her husband Damon of Brookline, New Hampshire, Bernie Tala of Ashburn, Virginia, and Diana Lee and her husband Jeremie of Gulfport, Mississippi.

Melita’s extended family is remembered by her in-laws Larry and Patricia Hetrick of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania; a brother-in-law Michael Hetrick of York, Pennsylvania; two step-daughters Nicole Hetrick and Jennifer Wonpat and her husband Andrew; three step-grandchildren Makayla, Ava, and Nathan Wonpat; nephews Nathan C. Thomas, Johnnie B. Tala, Zachary D. and Seth Tala Conner , and Adam H. and Benjamin H. Tala; and nieces Micaela S. Conner, Hannah E. Thomas, and Sara Anne Tala.

Pallbearers will be Bernie Tala, Jeremie Lee, Harry Minskey, Robert Tala, Michael Utley, and Damon Thomas.

Honorary pallbearers will be William Tala, Nathan Thomas, Johnnie B. Tala, and Zachary Conner.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org.