Adriana, an only child, was born and grew up in a row house in Hoboken, NJ, overlooking the Hudson River. From her home she could watch the ships and river barges her father worked on his whole life. Graduating from high school, she began working and attending Columbia University in the evening and then went to Bloomfield College, a small Presbyterian College in New Jersey. She put her college plans on hold when she married John in 1961.
John spent his early life with his younger brother and sister in Speedway, Indiana, next to the Indianapolis 500 Race Track. John and his friends would sneak onto the race track and, if lucky, got the job of washing car parts. John, growing up in the Disciples of Christ Church and wanting to become a minister, enrolled in the Christian Theological Seminary after graduating from Butler University in Indianapolis. He later transferred to Princeton Theological Seminar in New Jersey. While at Princeton, he was assigned to a Presbyterian church in Hoboken, N.J. where he met Adriana. They were married in 1961 when John graduated.
John first served in New Orleans where he had two very different churches, one a typical Presbyterian Church and the other a little Cajun church. It was a real contrast! They lived in New Orleans for over 5 years before moving in 1967 to Wellsville, Ohio.
Their children, Richard, and Anna, were born and raised in Wellsville where they stayed for over 14 years. During that time, Adriana completed her Associate Degree in Education at Kent State and they became friends with Carroll and Jimmie Meyer, as both families lived near Steubenville and were in the same Presbytery.
From Wellsville, John and Adriana moved to Middletown, PA, for 14 years. Adriana finished her Bachelor of Education degree at Penn State and enjoyed working as a substitute teacher and with vacation church schools, Sunday school classes, church camps and other christian education jobs for the Presbytery and Synod. She, as the pastor’s wife, was asked by Clerk of Session to serve as an Elder and with the Clerk’s encouragement she accepted.
After a final move back to the Steubenville area, they reconnected with the Meyer family. Carroll’s sister, Ruth, and his niece came to look at John’s lovely rose gardens. John mentioned he was ready to retire and they told him about the benefits of living in Wooster. After a visit, they decided to move and there was little question about which church they would attend. Carroll Meyer was Westminster’s Pastor at the time.
Westminster has benefited greatly from their talents. For many years, Adriana worked with the Vacation Church and Sunday School classes and the Dance Group. John, with his woodworking skills, helped convert Mackey Hall into the worshipful room it is on Sundays. He built, out of cherry wood, the unique communion table, pulpit, baptismal font and cross on the wall. If you drive past their home at 116 W. Henrietta Street, you will see John’s lovely rose garden. Adriana enjoys their three grandchildren, reading, knitting, visiting with friends from the past and ushering for the Ohio Light Opera.
About their children—Richard is married with one child. After retiring as member of the Air Force Band, he is now a Band Director and teacher in Raleigh, NC. Anna, married with two children, is an artist and nurse in Gerrardstown, West Virginia.
