Parish: Members of St. Mary Church, Ireland, since 1964

Married, number of children: Married Oct. 17, 1957; 10 children, one deceased infant and 17 grandchildren.

Tell us three things about your spouse: Roman: She’s what I call a “home mother” … she stayed home and took care of the kids. She was born in Leopold, in Perry County. She’s a good housekeeper. Eleanor: He was always good with the kids, and he always helps me with canning, etc. He’s a good worker and can do just about anything.

How did you meet? Roman: I met her at a dance at the Jasper Fireman’s Ball in 1955. Eleanor: I remember going to that dance with three of my friends. Each one of us met a guy that night that took us home, and we all ended up marrying them.

One of your earliest childhood memories: Roman: I was born in Jasper. I was from a family of four children … one brother and two sisters. One of my sisters is a Carmelite nun ­­– mother of the house in a little town near Denmark, Wis., outside of Green Bay. We made up our own fun. I have good memories of sled riding in the wintertime. We lived one block north of St. Joseph Church. We were members of St. Joe’s and went to St. Joe’s School. I spent my high school years at St. Meinrad. Eleanor: I was born in Perry County and baptized in Leopold, and lived on a farm. We moved to Ireland as a young child. When I was in the sixth grade, we moved to a farm south of Ireland. I remember my dad working in the Evansville shipyard during World War II. I had three brothers and two sisters. One brother is deceased.

When is a time when you were scared or frightened? Roman: I used to be scared when storms would come up. I remember watching the lightning from our front porch, and that used to scare me.

What was your first job and what did it pay? Roman: My first job was at a tomato cannery. I can’t remember what I earned. After I was out of school, I worked at Hoosier Desk as a cabinetmaker. I worked there until I was drafted into the service from 1951-53. I was shipped overseas to Germany for a little over a year until my time was up. Back home, I went back to the factory until 1955, when I opened up a service station. I had that for several years. Then I worked at Ireland as a custodian at St. Mary’s Parish from 1974-2000. I also drove a school bus route from 1967 to 2000. I still have my license, and I drive the kids back and forth to religious ed classes in Ireland and sub for some routes. Eleanor: I did house work in the summer for two years when I was in high school. My first job was working at the Ben Franklin 5 and 10 cent store.

Who influenced you growing up? Who did you consider to be a hero? Roman: I remember Father Othmar Schroeder very well. He was a young priest at the time. Also, Father Basil, who was the pastor at St. Joe’s Church. Another influence was our choir director and teacher, Professor Loepker. Eleanor: My Grandma Gelhausen. She taught us how to make homemade donuts in a wood-burning kitchen stove. I remember the adults ate first when we visited because my dad was from a large family (seven brothers and six sisters).

What form does stewardship take in your life? What are you involved with at your parish (current and/or past)? Roman: I was the maintenance person at St. Mary Church, and my wife and I both belong to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Eleanor: I am a Eucharistic minister, and I taught religion for several years. I also help out with the funeral dinners and work at the picnics.

Do you have any hobbies? Roman: I garden, and I try to help people out. Eleanor: We have a garden, flowers, and I enjoy quilting.

Have you encountered a miracle or God’s intervention in your life? Roman: God did us a favor by giving us 11 kids. Eleanor: I think just taking care of all the children. I think He gave us a lot of help there. There had to be someone praying to God for us.

When is a time in your life when you had to rely on your faith? Roman: All the time. The more I think about it now, I can see where God was helping us along all the time. Eleanor: When one of my sons was very sick and in the hospital.

What is your first memory of church? Roman: I can remember my First Communion. I was the shortest kid in my class. I remember that it was cold, and that I wore short trousers because we didn’t have a lot of money. Eleanor: My First Communion. I remember my grandparents being there … they were my godparents, too.

What do you like most about being Catholic? Roman: Believing in God helps you along. When you ask for help, all your wishes are not always granted, but He’ll eventually give it to you, when He sees fit. Eleanor: You can pray for help all the time, and everybody helps each other, too.

What is your favorite religious item? Roman: I have a rosary that I carry with me daily. When I went into the service, my mother gave me a rosary that was with me all the time. I just like to pray it. Eleanor: My rosary.

What have you learned?  How are you different than 50 years ago? Roman: I have learned that we have to keep plugging along in life and remember God. Eleanor: Not to worry about everything and take things in stride … just do what you can do.

Tell us about a favorite saint. Roman: I like to keep St. Michael in mind ... he keeps us out of danger and protects us. Eleanor: St. Theresa.

What’s the best advice you could offer someone? Roman: Keep God in mind at all times and do a little praying to Him. Ask Him to help you along. Eleanor: Take care of your family and take things as they come.

People of Wisdom is sponsored by the Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana, Inc. For more information, please call (800) 637-1731 or (812) 424-5536, or visit the website @ www.catholicfoundationswin.org.