Edward J. Bettinger | Company Chairman, 85

Edward J. Bettinger, 85, of Huntingdon Valley, chairman of Bettinger Co., an employment consulting and staffing firm, died Sunday, July 25, of complications from a stroke at St. Joseph Manor in Huntingdon Valley.

Mr. Bettinger graduated from Northeast Catholic High School. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps in England. He was a flight engineer and top turret gunner on B-17s. On his 19th mission, his plane was shot down over Belgium. He was rescued by a U.S. Army unit, his son Jeffrey said.

After his discharge, Mr. Bettinger earned a bachelor's degree from Temple University. He then worked for O'Shea Employment Agency in Philadelphia before establishing his own firm in 1955. He helped found the Business Machine School in Philadelphia in 1957. Mr. Bettinger became chairman of Bettinger Co. in 1994 when his son became president. The firm has offices in Center City, King of Prussia, and Exton.

A golf enthusiast, Mr. Bettinger served two terms on the board of governors of the Huntingdon Valley Country Club. He also served on the board of Holy Redeemer Hospital.

In addition to his son, he is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy Gallagher Bettinger; son, Edward Jr.; daughters Barbara Boyle, Sharon Barron, Mary Kay Speese, Gail Boyle, Dori Bellezza and Meg Marshall; 18 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 29, at St. Albert the Great Church, 212 Welsh Rd., Huntingdon Valley. Friends may call from 9 a.m.