John Rufus Meaders

John Rufus Meaders was the eldest child of Cheever and Arie Meaders. He was born in 1916 and grew up helping his father and uncles in the original Meaders pottery shop. By the time he was a teenager, John was already a master craftsman.    When John Meaders came back from the armed forces after WWII, he continued to reside at the original Meaders home place, working at several different jobs, none of which involving making pottery. He later married Mildred Collins and had three daughters, Annette, Mary and Joyce.    It wasn’t until John turned 60 years old and retired that he turned back to making pottery again, along with his wife Mildred. John soon became known for his pitchers and vases with bright blue grapes, chicken planters, candleholders and other items. His wife Mildred continues making pottery that, in many ways, resembles the pottery made by John.    John Rufus Meaders died on March 12, 1999 and is buried next to the original Meaders pottery shop on the Meaders home place.