Couple with strong JCA ties to be honored

• Reprints

Joe and Jodie Adler

Updated: March 20, 2012 8:10AM

JOLIET — Joe Adler graduated from Joliet Catholic High School in 1948 and the University of Notre Dame. Jodie Biddle graduated from St. Francis Academy in 1949 and St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame.

The relationship between JCHS, SFA and now Joliet Catholic Academy brought Joe and Jodie together. They have been married for 59 years, raised six children and dote on their 22 grandchildren.

And they were a family of Hilltoppers and Angels.

“Our outlook about the school is we felt it was a vital part of a parent’s responsibility to find the best education possible for their children,” Joe Adler said. “Our idea of education went beyond the courses.

“You can get the educational courses anywhere. We were looking outside of the classwork, to those less fortunate in the Joliet area — the community service that we felt would set a school apart.”

Continual involvement in the success of Joliet Catholic Academy is a standard set by Joe and Jodie Adler. JCA will honor the couple as the Recognition Award recipients at the 27th annual Jubilaté.

Joe and Jodie Adler sent six children — Daniel (’72), Teddy (’73), Jackie (’75), Chris (’76), Michael (’78) and Jay (’82) — through St. Patrick’s Grade School, JCHS and SFA. Many of their grandchildren and extended family have attended JCA. They also have supported JCA through gifts to the Jack Adler Scholarship.

Together, they have lived a wonderful life, including more than 50 years of involvement with the Christian Family Movement, being founding members of both the Will County Conference of Religion and Race and the Spanish Community Center and being active in the civil rights movement since the 1960s.

As members of the original group that started the Will County Habitat for Humanity, their work with Habitat continues to this day along with many members of their family and friends. They also initiated the “Tip the Maids” program that encourages guests to leave tips for maids at hotels and motels.

At the heart of the matter for Joe and Jodie Adler is community. Joseph is the past president of the George Werden Boys and Girls Club of Joliet and the past president of Adler Roofing and Sheet Metal. Jodie started a banquet business, Fountainview, and is active with the Visitation and Aid Society.

“Wherever mom and dad are or have been, they live and preach justice and peace,” said Dan Adler, their eldest son.

“It is clear to me there is no way to predict what joys or struggles we will witness in our lives,” said Jenna Finney-Murphy, their granddaughter. “When I look at their lives, I see it has been, and will continue to be, full of both. They are great examples of saying ‘Yes’ to life and all that it brings with great faith.”

Part of that faith is being charter members of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish Retired Service Team. They also helped to teach English to migrant workers, hosted Spanish groups and worked with the poor.

All proceeds of the annual fundraising event go to benefit the students of JCA.

“Joe and Jodie Adler have forged a strong foundation for their family built upon their Catholic faith and their selfless examples of, ‘Do what you can to make the world a better place,’” said Christine Voss, JCA’s special events manager. “On behalf of all of us at JCA, especially our students and families, we are grateful for the Adlers’ generous hearts.”