Reverend Matthew Herttna

Reverend Matthew Herttna passed away December 14, 2006 at Mercy Medical Center. Father Herttna was born April 12, 1921 in Montville, OH, a son of Matt and Helen (Stochl) Herttna. He attended Hartsgrove Elementary School, Orwell High School, Rome High School, John Carroll University, and St. Mary's Seminary, Cleveland. He was ordained May 26, 1945 by Bishop James A. McFadden. Following ordination, he served as associate pastor at St. Peter Parish, Canton (1945-52), Sacred Heart Parish, Youngstown (1952-53) and St. Charles Parish, Boardman (1953-54). While at St. Peter's, he was the first chaplain of the Canton Police Department and the Stark County Sheriff's Department, where he coordinated a project carried out by the inmates - the renovation of part of the building as a Catholic chapel. He celebrated Mass and counseled there. In January 1954, Fr. Herttna was assigned as Catholic chaplain to Heartland Behavioral Healthcare (formerly known as Massillon Psychiatric Center and Massillon State Hospital. He was the director of the National Shrine of St. Dymphna, patroness of those troubled with nervous disorders, located on the grounds of Heartland Behavioral Healthcare. Fr. Herttna retired on May 31, 1996. In his retirement, he continued to care for the hospital patients as chaplain. During his ministry, Fr. Herttna served as diocesan director of Catholic nurses, a member of Pastoral Council, chaplain of the Catholic Daughters of America, Court Massillon #1244, was an instructor of religion at Ursuline High School and was a representative for the Ohio Council of Churches, Commission on Institutional Ministries. He established the Religious Goods Center in 1960, to spread the faith and offer a wide selection of religious articles. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Herttna. He is survived by nephews, Matthew Herttna (Linda) of Hartville, John & Thomas Herttna of Montville and a niece, Mary Chinchar (George) of Grand River; 4 great nephews and 3 great nieces. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 11:00 a.m., December 18, 2006 at the National Shrine of St. Dymphna. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, December 17, at the Paquelet Funeral Home, 1100 Wales Road N.E., Massillon, Ohio 44646, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. He will lie in state at National Shrine of St. Dymphna from 10 - 11 a.m. on Monday. Paquelet - Massillon A Golden Rule Funeral Home www.paquelet.com 330-833-3222