FRANKLIN
John Albert Adolph, of Franklin, died Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, at the age of 106.
John was born Feb. 28, 1910, in Hayden. He lived there until age 10 and then moved to Seymour, where he attended grade school and high school.
He worked at the Seymour Daily Tribune before moving to Indianapolis. He started working at the Indianapolis News in 1937 as journeyman printer. He worked 37 years for the Indianapolis Newspapers, Inc., publishers of the Indianapolis Star and News, before retiring in 1973.
He served two years at Allison Plant No. 2 in defense work during World War II.
He was a Boy Scout leader for Troop No. 117 of Indianapolis and vice administrator for Civil Defense in the Nora area.
He was a member of Brookside Masonic Lodge since 1936, a member of Keystone No. 251, an honorary member of Millersville Masonic Lodge No. 136, 32nd degree Mason of Scottish Rite, and a member of Devol Lodge 766 F&AM in Franklin.
He was a member of the International Typographical Union and Communication Workers of America and a member of the Old Time Printers Association of Indianapolis.
John belonged to Centenary Christian Church, Northwood Christian Church and Allisonville Christian Church, where he serviced as a longtime deacon and held several different ministerial positions.
He was an avid gardener, and also enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and traveling throughout the U.S. and the world.
Many changes were seen in his long walk through life. He lived through two world wars and the Great Depression. He also witnessed the invention of the Model T and A, along with man’s first walk on the moon. He even lived during the terms for 18 presidents of the United States!
Many memories were his of the good ole days: syrup making, hog killing, sheep shearing, goose picking, the Watkins man, sawmills, one-room school houses and many others.
He reached 106 years in age, but like the poem says, “I was not old nor was I through with life: I had things to do and promises to keep and maybe another mile to go before I slept.”
John married Mildred Forgey in Brownstown on Oct. 12, 1935. She preceded him in death on Nov. 27, 2000. He was also preceded in death by a son, James M. Adolph, who passed away on Dec. 23, 2005.
He is survived by a daughter, Nina Jean West of Franklin.
The Millersville Masonic Lodge will conduct a ceremony followed by a memorial service beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Allisonville Christian Church, 7701 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, with with Pastor Gale Stutz and Pastor Diane Spleth, officiating. Visitation will be from noon until 2 p.m. at the church. Inurnment to follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Allisonville Christian Church.
Leppert Mortuary – Nora Chapel handling arrangements.
To share a memory, please visit www.leppertmortuary.com.
