Melvin P. Tritapoe
1933-2020
Melvin Paul Tritapoe, 87, of Berkeley Springs, died Monday, December 14, 2020 at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.
Born December 14, 1933 in Berkeley Springs, he was the son of the late Robert Franklin and Annie Marcheline Yost Tritapoe.
He was a member of Highland United Methodist Church.
He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
He retired as Sergeant with the Charleston Police Department in Charleston, S.C.
He was a member of the Jr. Order of United American Mechanics Council #117, Berkeley Springs.
He liked gardening and yard work, carpentry and traveling.
He is survived by his wife of 19 1/2 years, Marion Natalie Pritchard Tritapoe, at home; his children, Dwight Tritapoe, Great Cacapon, Rebecca Sims, Bonneau, S.C. and Paula Tritapoe, North Charleston, S.C.; two stepsons, William Sterner, Hancock and Mark Somerfield, Andes, N.Y.; two grandchildren, Clint Howard and Catherine Edwards, both of Charleston; five step grandchildren, Kelly Patel, Erie, Pa., Jonathan Sims, Bonneau, Bethany King, Jordan Sterner and Kaitlyn Martin; one great-grandson; six step great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine Elizabeth Padgett Tritapoe on January 21, 1992; four sisters and five brothers.
Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Saturday, December 19 at Highland Cemetery, 4326 Highland Ridge Road, Berkeley Springs with Pastor Kenny Mason officiating. Graveside military honors will be provided by the Tri-State Honor Guard.
Arrangements are being handled by Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs.
