Dedication
It was purchased with the donations from my parents' memorial fund.
They had been waiting to find a special project that would honor both my father and mother for their many years of service and Christian fellowship.
St. John's was my Dad's fourth and final congregation that he attended during his almost 50 years as a servant of the Lord.
He began his ministry as a Vicar in Montreal, Canada. His first call after graduating from the Seminary back in the early 1940's was to Prince George, Virginia
He next moved on to St. Mark's in Steubenville, Ohio.
In 1959, he accepted a call to SS Peter and Paul in Lakewood. He faithfully served as Pastor until the early 1970's.
 |
| inside SS Peter & Paul Evangelical (since renamed Grace Lutheran) |
This was a large congregation whose membership boasted a thousand souls. He served on the administrative board of his Synod and traveled with my mother to many conventions.
I attended Lutheran High School West and was so proud when my Dad came to preach at Wednesday chapel services. All the girls had crushes on my handsome Dad. (Yes, I was jealous!)
Later when I attended Lutheran Hospital's School of Nursing, my father officiated at both my baccalaureate and graduation services.
My Dad officially retired at age 65 but he continued to fill in as a substitute minister as needed for churches with no clergy.
He began his career at a small country congregation and ended up administering to a little church in Pleasant City. He was paid for his services with baskets of fruits and vegetables... and a lot of grateful hearts.
Later when I attended Lutheran Hospital's School of Nursing, my father officiated at both my baccalaureate and graduation services.
My Dad officially retired at age 65 but he continued to fill in as a substitute minister as needed for churches with no clergy.
He began his career at a small country congregation and ended up administering to a little church in Pleasant City. He was paid for his services with baskets of fruits and vegetables... and a lot of grateful hearts.
Dad also performed many ceremonies of Marriage and Baptism for family and friends well into his late 70's.
He died in 2002 at the age of 80.
Reverend John Kucera will long be remembered as a devoted and well loved pastor. "They don't make them like that anymore" is a quote I often hear whenever someone speaks about my father.
My Mother was a great support to him and served the congregation in many roles throughout her life. She sang in the choir and participated in the Martha's Society and was a member of the Alter Guild. She died in 2009 at age 85.
They both were warm and caring people with endearing personalities. Their sense of humor was legendary!
They both were warm and caring people with endearing personalities. Their sense of humor was legendary!
Our lives are so enriched for having known them.
Their love and teachings live on in all who knew and loved them.
Their love and teachings live on in all who knew and loved them.
Well done, thou good and faithful servants!!
