Patricia Henthorn Hetrick, 83, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at Life’s Journey Hospice of Avon with her loving husband at her side. She had commented that she wondered what the music will be like in Heaven. Now she knows.
Born May 7, 1937, Patricia was the beloved only child of Marcus Dewey Henthorn and Esther Stamp Henthorn. They drove countless miles to develop her musical talents with piano, voice and accordion lessons. Pat entertained many at fairs, parties, weddings and such in her youth, graduating from Roachdale High School in 1954.
She was the loving wife and ministry partner of Loren Hetrick for 63 years after he offered to carry her accordion at church camp. After attending DePauw University for one year as a music major, she transferred to Lincoln Bible Institute where she and Loren graduated. They were married June 30, 1957, at Parkersburg Christian Church.
Pat was the devoted mother of Lori (Mark) Miller, Esther Hetrick and Tricia (Tom) Cater; grandmother of Lindsey Miller (Brian) McClanathan, Leslie, Lorissa and Landon Miller, Alicia and Chelsea Cater; and great-grandmother of Avery and Owen McClanathan and Patrick Miller.
Pat was a musician of extraordinary talent who spent her life pouring into others, especially her daughters, who followed her example in music and ministry. She and Loren created a family music ministry to churches in Indiana and Illinois, recording two albums of Gospel music.
When her youngest daughter started Kindergarten, Pat became a music teacher in Illinois and then taught in North Putnam School district, her alma mater, for 27 years.
She loved to cook and bake, paint, write poetry and songs. She also created beautiful piano arrangements of hymns and Gospel songs which reflected her unique style She loved the Lord, serving Him through her family, church music and using her natural teaching gifts.
The family has donated her brain to research and requests that any memorial contributions be made to Alzheimer Disease Research in Pathology, c/o Francine Epperson, Dementia Research Laboratory, Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS A-142, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5120. Put in memo line: IUF-ACCT: 0380009961. Cards can be mailed to: 93 Autumn Glen Drive, Greencastle, IN 46135.
Servies & Morgan in Roachdale are handling the arrangements and there will be no funeral.
