Frank L. Hettlinger, Sr., 94, of Terre Haute passed away Thursday November 14, 2024, in Union Hospital. He was a retired Major General for the Indiana Air National Guard with headquarters at Stout Field, Indianapolis. As commander, he had the overall command responsibility for the Indiana Air National Guard units including the 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne; the 181st Tactical Fighter Group, Terre Haute; and the 207th Weather Flight, Shelbyville.

Frank was born on March 15, 1930, in Allentown, Pennsylvania to Julius and Pauline (Holler) Hettlinger. He attended Fountain Hill High School, Bethlehem, PA., graduating in 1948. He then attended Moravian College, Bethlehem, eventually receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in 1958. He married Lorraine (Bartholomew) Hettlinger in 1952.  They moved to Terre Haute, Indiana in 1957. Lorraine preceded him in death on April 19, 2016.

Survived by his daughter Delisa Swenson of Bradenton, Florida, son Frank Hettlinger Jr. (Cheryl) of Bloomington Indiana, daughter Chris Hutchins (John) of Ft. Wayne Indiana, and son Eric Hettlinger (Cindi) of Terre Haute, Indiana and 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

As well as his wife Lorraine, he was predeceased by brothers Julius, Erich and Rowland, sister Pauline Overdorf, son-in-law Richard Swenson, grandson Nicholas Hettlinger, and great granddaughters Hope and Faith Hettlinger.

General Hettlinger began his military career by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in June 1951. He entered the Aviation Cadet program at Hondo Air Force Base, Texas, and was commissioned a second lieutenant and received his pilot wings in December 1952, at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz. He attended advanced training at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and was subsequently assigned to the 47th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Niagara Falls, N.Y., flying the F-86F Sabre. In April 1954 he was assigned to the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, flying the F-86E and D. He was released from active duty in December 1955, and in March 1956, joined the 148th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, in Reading, where he flew the F-51D and later the C-46 aircraft. In February 1957 General Hettlinger transferred to the 113th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Indiana Air National Guard, Terre Haute, to fly the F-86A. General Hettlinger served the 113th as a flight commander, operations officer and squadron commander until October 1961, when he was activated for the Berlin Crisis as the assistant operations officer of the 113th Fighter Bomber Squadron, flying F-84s. Upon release from active duty in August 1962, he was assigned as deputy commander of operations of the 181st Tactical Fighter Group, Terre Haute. In September 1971 the general assumed command of the 181st Tactical Fighter Group, until September 1978, when he assumed command of the 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne. He retired from the position of Commander, Indiana Air National Guard, on March 1, 1989.

General Hettlinger was a command pilot with more than 9,000 flying hours in the T-6, F-80, T-33, F-51, F-84, F-86, F-100, C-47, C-54, T-29, C-131 and F-4 aircraft.

He was a member of the National Guard Associations of the United States and Indiana, as well as the Terre Haute Rotary Club.

Frank enjoyed being with family & friends in his retirement years.  He will be remembered for his love of the outdoors, golfing, mowing grass & spending time in his swimming pool. Frank always enjoyed spending time with his fellow aviators telling old fighter pilot stories. He will be missed dearly by his family & friends.

Visitation will be Monday November 25, 2024, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm in DeBaun Springhill Chapel with funeral services on Tuesday November 26, 2024, at 1:00 pm in the funeral home with Pastor Fred Rodkey officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the United States Air Force and the Indiana Air National Guard in Highland Lawn Cemetery.  Online condolences may be left at www.debaunfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Frank's honor to Tunnels to Towers, https://dogood.t2t.org/IMOMajorGeneralFrankHettlingerSr or the Gary Sinise Foundation www.garysinisefoundation.org