Edward Gerard Hettinger

Edward Hettinger was born on October 14, 1902, in Lancaster, Ohio, to Edward and Clara (O'Brien) Hettinger. His father was a saloon-keeper of French and German descent and his mother's parents were from Ireland. He was baptized and confirmed in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Lancaster and attended the school associated with that parish.^[1]

Deciding to become a priest, Hettinger first entered the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He continued his studies at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe Pennsylvania.^[1]

Hettinger was ordained a priest by Bishop James Joseph Hartley for the Diocese of Columbus on June 2, 1928.^[2] After his ordination, the diocese assigned Hettinger as chaplain of St. Ann Hospital in Westerville, Ohio while residing at the St. Vincent Orphanage in Columbus.^[3][4] He began working in the diocesan chancery in 1933, and was named chancellor in 1938.^[4] That same year, he was named a domestic prelate by Pope Pius XII.^[5][1]

On December 6, 1941 Pius XII appointed Hettinger as the titular bishop of Teos and auxiliary bishop of Columbus. He was consecrated a bishop by Hartley on February 24, 1942 in St. Joseph Cathedral in Columba.^[4] The principal co-consecrators were Bishop Francis Howard of Covington and Auxiliary Bishop George Rehring of Cincinnati.^[2] Hettinger acted as apostolic administrator of the diocese following Hartley's death in 1944, as well as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Columbus.^[6][1]

Hettinger's resignation as auxiliary bishop of Columbus was accepted by Pope Paul VI on October 14, 1977. He died in Columbus on December 28, 1996, at age 94.^[2][7] At the time of his death, he was the longest-serving bishop in the United States.^[8] Hettinger was buried in St. Mary Cemetery in Lancaster, following a funeral at Sacred Heart.^[1]