Rev Raymond A Etzel

Reverend Raymond A. Etzel, a senior priest of the Diocese of Toledo, died Thursday evening, December 10, 2009 at the Ursuline Center. Fr. Etzel was born in Toledo Ohio to Raymond A. and Elizabeth (Hanley) Etzel on March 14, 1924. He attended Rosary Cathedral grade school and graduated from Central Catholic High School. Fr. Etzel started his college studies at St. Charles University, Catonsville Maryland and continued at Catholic University in Washington D.C. where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree and was a Basselin scholar. Fr. Etzel attended St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati Ohio and graduated in 1950. Fr. Etzel was ordained a Priest on May 18, 1950 in Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral by the Most Reverend Karl J. Alter, D.D.; his first assignment was at St. Rose Lima Parish in Perrysburg Ohio. He served in residence at St Francis de Sales Church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Joseph Church, Maumee while serving as Assistant Superintendant of schools. In 1953 Fr. Etzel returned to Catholic University and studied for his Masters Degree in Education with Bishop Fulton J. Sheen as one of his instructors. In 1954 Fr. Etzel returned to the Diocese and served as assistant pastor at St. Mary's Parish in Sandusky while he was Principal of St. Mary's High School. In 1961 he was appointed the position of Assistant Principal of his Alma Mater, Central Catholic High School. From 1965 to 1969 he served as the assistant Superintendant of Schools and from 1969 until 1976 Diocesan Superintendant of Schools. His Pastoral assignments included St. John the Baptist from 1976 to 1985 and St. Caspar Parish in Wauseon Ohio from 1985 until he retired in 1992. Fr. Etzel was preceded in death by his parents; brother William Etzel and his nephews Rodger Ach and Joseph Etzel. He is survived by his sister Joann E. Ach; brother David B. Etzel; sister-in-law Julie Etzel and 11 nieces and nephews. The body will be received on Sunday Dec. 13th at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral for Vesper Services at 4:00 p.m.; the visitation will follow until 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening and again on Monday Dec14th at 9:00 am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated by The Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair. Committal services will be celebrated by the Very Rev. Dennis P. Hartigan V.F. at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may take the form of a contribution to the Priest Retirement Fund of the Diocese Toledo. The Coyle Funeral Home is assisting the family and the Toledo Diocese with funeral arrangements.

Rev Raymond A Etzel

March 14, 1924 - December 10, 2009