John Joseph Didier was born on June 21, 1925. Everyone called him "Jack." He was the 5th of 10 children. His parents referred to them as "the older five" and "the younger five" because there was some time in-between the two groups of kids.
His siblings included (in birth order) Phyllis, Margann, Marshall, Donald, (Jack), Edythe Mary (also known as Mame), Jim, Margret, Thomas (who only lived two months), Helen, and David.

His brother Donald described him as a "nice young boy." He also told the story of the time they were playing on a swing-set they had in the basement of their home on Parnell Avenue. Jack was on the swing and fell off and cracked his front tooth. His father had to take him to the dentist to get it repaired.
Jack's family lived in several different homes in Fort Wayne growing up:
3245 Parnell Avenue
1021 Tennessee Avenue (a home they only lived in for one year. According to Donald Didier, they all hated it). They left the home in the spring of 1937.
****Clara Avenue
1044 East State Street
His father purchased some farmland on Reed Road that is now where the Versailles on the Lake apartment complex sits.

At their house on Parnell Avenue, Jack's father would pump water into a horse trough in the attic, then it was hooked to all the plumbing in the house so they could have running water in the faucets.
Jack and his brothers Marshall and Don would all sleep in one bed in the attic and in the winter would come downstairs and dance around the house to get the feeling back in their cold feet!
He was 4 years old when The Great Depression hit. It affected his entire family. All family members who could earn money did, and pooled their money for the whole family. This was commonplace during The Great Depression.
Jack attended St. Jude Elementary School although, he was quick to point out that it was called Sharon Terrace School for a few years while he was there and didn't change to St. Jude's until some time later.
He played on the St. Jude's basketball team in (year).
This is where I would discuss his teenage years.
This is where I would put information about his enlistment into the Navy where he was stationed in the Philippines during World War II.
Brother Jack will input information here regarding his service in World War II.
Jack married Catherine Conner on February 14, 1953 at St. John The Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Their wedding photos can be seen in the Gallery section of this web page.

Home locations:
****Parnell Avenue, Fort Wayne, Indiana (Dates)
2203 Kensington Boulevard, Fort Wayne, Indiana (Dates)
2822 Belfast Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana (Dates)

He and Catherine (known as "Mike" in the early years of their marriage) had nine children.
Jack started a grocery business with two of his brothers Marshal and Jim. Their original store was located on Petit Avenue in Fort Wayne and grew to 7 IGA supermarkets throughout the city.

Jack enjoyed his children, playing golf, and performing magic.
He also volunteered in the St. Mary's Soup Kitchen.