Rudolph Anthony (Washie) Božič was born on May 23, 1914 in Haughville, Marion County, Indianapolis to Janez (John) Božič and Ivana Strmljan. His name appears as Rudolf in Holy Trinity Church birth and baptism records.

Rudy was baptized on May 31, 1914 at Holy Trinity Church by Rev. B. (Bonaventure) Cicek O.M.C. His godparents were Franc (Francis) and Neža (Agnes) Beršnjak; the same godparents as his brother Frank. Rudy was the youngest child in the family.

At the time of Rudy’s birth the Božičs lived at 705 Warman Avenue. Rudy grew up in that house and lived there until 1928. At that time both of his parents had died.

Rudy’s first communion was on May 1, 1921. Pastor Fr. Cyril. His confirmation took place at Holy Trinity at 7:30 PM, Tuesday, May 30, 1922. His baptismal and family name: Rudolph Bozic. Confirmation name: Anthony. Sponsor: Anthony Mohar (Mohr).

Rudy’s first communion was on May 1, 1921. Pastor Fr. Cyril. His confirmation took place at Holy Trinity at 7:30 PM, Tuesday, May 30, 1922. Sponsor: Anthony Mohar (Mohr)

Rudolph had many nicknames in his young days, but "Washie" is the one that stuck with him for life.

Washie did not know much about his parents or grandparents because his parents never talked about their past and heritage. His father was sick and spent much time during Washie’s childhood in hospitals. Washie spent a lot of his free time with his Haughville buddies swimming and fishing.

Washie attended Holy Trinity Grade School and Washington High School. He was a lifelong, active member of Holy Trinity Parish in Indianapolis.

In 1928, when both parents were dead, Anna and Anthony Mohr took Molly, Rudolph, and Frank to their home at 1442 North Holmes Avenue, Indianapolis. Home was rented (not owned).

According to the 1930 Fifteenth Census of the United States the Mohr house had eight residents:

1. Anthony J. Mohr (age 33; born 1897) - husband
2. Anna Mohr (age 26; August 2, 1903 - October 1968) - wife
3. Mabel Ann Mohr *Cauble* (September 2, 1923)
4. Anna Mae Mohr (age 3 3/12; December 29, 1926)
5. Jennette Rose Mohr (March 26, 1930) Jennie
6. Amalia (Molly) Bozic (May 17, 1908)
7. Frank Joseph Bozic (July 3, 1912 - October 26, 1999)
8. Rudolph Anthony Bozic (May 23, 1914 - November 17, 1975)

According to the 1930 census, Anthony Mohr was the head of the family. He was 33 years old, married to Anna Mohr. Anthony was able to read and write, and was able to speak English. He worked in an iron foundry as a molder. The home did not have a radio set.

Anna Mohr, Anthony’s wife, was 26 years old. She was able to read and write. She was born in Indiana. Both of her parents were born in Slovenia. Occupation - none.

Mabel A. Mohr was 6 years old; Anna M. Mohr - 3 years and 3 months old; and Jennette R. Mohr - just born in Indiana.

Amalia (Molly) Bozic was able to read and write, worked as a cashier in the Star Store, a department store in Indianapolis.

Frank J. Bozic (later Bozich) was able to read and write. His occupation was a stamper in a packing house.

Rudolph A. Bozic attended school. He was able to read and write and worked as a distributor of newspapers - his first job. Rudolph’s son, Donnie, mentioned in 2005 that his dad’s first job was a paper delivery man and shortly thereafter he became a milk man.

Anthony and Anna Mohr had a son, Robert (Bob) Mohr, born on April 14, 1934.

On May 18, 1938 Mrs. Rudolph Bozic (Sophie Mauser) was the confirmation sponsor for Anna Mae Mohr and Jean Mohr at Holy Trinity Church. Anna’s confirmation name was Sophie and Jean’s - Agnes.

Rudolph Bozic was Robert Mohr’s confirmation sponsor on May 4, 1942. Robert’s confirmation name was Joseph.

Anna Golobar (Mohr) died on October 18, 1968. Anton Mohar (Anthony Mohr) died on August 13, 1970. Both Anna and Anthony were buried at Calvary Cemetery, Section 20, Row 9, Lot 15.

Josefina (Sophie) Alberta Mauser was born on December 8, 1912 to Martin Mauser and Josephine Mervar. She was baptized at Holy Trinity on December 22, 1912 by Rev. B. (Bonaventure) Cicek O.M.C. Her godparents were Josef and Maria Mervar.

Ana, Sophie, and Loui Mauser, Indianapolis

At the time of Sophie’s birth the family resided at 701 Holmes Avenue.

Sophie's mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA Haplogroup H. About one-half of all Europeans are haplogroup H, which is also common in North Africa and the Middle East. Even on the edges of its vast distribution range, in northern India and central Asia, it is seen in 5 to 10 percent of those tested.

Sophie with her family at 701 Holmes Avenue, Indianapolis

Sophie Mauser’s first communion was on May 23, 1920 - coincidently, her future husband Rudy’s sixth birthday.

Sophie Mauser’s first communion, May 23, 1920

Sophie’s confirmation was on Tuesday, May 30, 1922. Her conformation name was Julia and her sponsor was Julia Medvescek. Note, Julia married Sophie’s uncle, John Mauser on July 27, 1918 and he died on October 23, 1918. She married Mr. Medvescek and, apparently, still kept in touch with the Mausers.

Sophie’s sister Anna Mauser was also confirmed that day. Her sponsor was Rose Gabrielcic.

If on her confirmation day young, 10 year old Sophie looked around carefully at Holy Trinity Church she must have seen her future parents-in-law, John and Ivana Bozic, who died in 1926 and 1928, respectively, long before Sophie’s wedding to their son Rudolph in 1937.

On Tuesday, May 30, 1922 John Bozich was the confirmation sponsor for Anthony Banich, and Ivana Bozich was the confirmation sponsor for Josephine Banich.

John and Ivana’s sons, Frank and Rudolph Bozic, were also confirmed that day, May 30, 1922. Frank’s sponsor was Joseph Golc and Rudolph’s sponsor was Anthony Mohar (Mohr). Several years later Sophie dated Frank for two years before marrying his brother, Rudolph, in 1937.

Stanley and Washie used to swim together in White River. They would dive off the brick wall. They liked to go where the Naval Armory is now located on 30th Street.

Washie bought a Model A Ford. He let Stanley drive it only one time. After seeing the way Stanley drove it, Washie would not let him drive it again.

Rudy and Sophie went to the same school, Holy Trinity Grade School in Haughville. They knew each other just like they knew everyone else in their school, but they did not pay attention to each other during school years. Sophie hung out with her cousins - Pauline, etc. Later Rudy attended Washington High School from which he graduated.

Initially Sophie went out with Rudy’s brother, Frank, for two years. Whatever happened between the two of them left Frank broken-hearted (according to Frank’s daughter, Ginger). Frank married Angela M. Grabner on November 11, 1933.

Rudy invited Sophie on their first date on January 23, 1935. Two years later, on the second anniversary of their first date - on January 23, 1937 - Rudy and Sophie married.

Sophie’s father, Martin, saved Washie in his teenage years from drowning in White River, Indianapolis. Rudy was a good swimmer, however one day while swimming, something happened and he began drowning. He yelled for help, but no one, except Martin Mauser, was in the area. Without hesitating for a second Mr. Mauser jumped in the river and pulled Rudy to the shore.

Their interaction did not end on the shore. In fact, that incident was just the beginning of a very long and close friendship, and even more than that. Rudy’s rescuer took young Rudy to his home.

Of course, Rudy was reintroduced to Martin’s young daughter, Sophie, in the Mauser home. Sophie’s mom, Josephine, told Rudy candidly that their daughter was old enough to marry.

According to Sophie she did not like Rudy at first, "but then we finally fell in love". When Rudy asked eventually the critical question: "Will you marry me?", Sophie gladly replied: "Sure". Washie loved both Josephine and Martin, and they adored him as well. When Rudy gave Sophie an engagement ring in front of her parents, he asked them if he could marry Sophie. They eagerly replied: "Sure".

Rudy invited Sophie on their first date on January 23, 1935. He was 20 and Sophie was 22. They danced once and then Rudy asked Sophie to dance with him every week or whenever there was a dance. They danced to foxtrot, waltzes, etc. Rudy and Sophie used to go out to dances or parties in a group. For dates Rudy brought Sophie flowers, candy, etc. Every time Rudy heard some song that he liked while dancing with Sophie, he said: "Oh, this is our song!" They used to go out to shows in a group, or to parties in groups, and sometimes just the two of them.

Rudy and Sophie often communicated in Slovenian. John Hocevar said that Rudolph spoke Slovenian better than anyone else in the Indianapolis Slovenian Community. He said that everybody listened to what Rudy and Joe Toth had to say. They were leaders that kept their community together. After they died everything changed and the community was never the same.

Rudy and Sophie married on January 23, 1937 in Holy Trinity Church, Indianapolis. That day was the 2nd anniversary of their first date. Rudy was 22 years old and Sophie was two years older. Rudy’s address at the time of marriage was 1242 N. Holmes Avenue; Sophie’s - 960 N. Haugh Street. Names of the witnesses: G. Radež and Amelia Božič.

Washie and Sophie were planning to spend their honeymoon in Cincinnati, Ohio. However, the trip had to be canceled because of a big storm. It snowed all day. On their wedding night they slept over mom and dad’s (960 Haugh Street), and had all upstairs to themselves.

Rudy and Sophie finally celebrated their honeymoon two years later. They went on a fishing trip (good thinking, Washie!) to Lake Manitou in Rochester, Indiana. At one point Sophie thought she caught a snake, but it turned out to be a turtle.

For several years Sophie and Rudy lived on Ketchum Street. For a few months Mary and Fonzy Mauser lived with them upstairs.

Mary (Codarmaz) Mauser recalled in 2005 that around 1940 she and Fonzy moved in with Sophie and Rudy Bozic in a rented house on Ketcham Street. The house is still there in the 900 block close to 10th Street. Mary and Fonzy lived upstairs. Mary said Sophie and Rudy were very good to them. They were like brothers and sisters to each other. They used to go together to the dances at Holy Trinity gym and the Indiana Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis. When Don Bozic was born, Sophie and Rudy and the baby moved in with Martin and Josephine Mauser. Fonzy and Mary moved in with Mr. and Mrs. Codarmaz - Mary’s parents.

Sophie had a hard time getting pregnant. Four years passed before their first child, Donnie, was born on March 28, 1941.

Sophie was an inspector of car parts. The factory was located two blocks from the house. Rudy was a foreman at Malleable. After they got married, Rudy worked for Hornaday Dairy as a milk man. Rudy drove around in his milk truck and his customers named him Washie, because he delivered milk on a certain day when his customers were doing laundry. According to his brother Frank, Rudy took a lot of pride in delivering fresh milk (cooled in an ice box) to people, especially children.

Washie in front of a Hornaday milk truck

Sophie could not get pregnant with her daughter Marie and had a miscarriage before giving birth to Marie. Rudy and Sophie lived with mom and dad (Martin and Josephine) when she got pregnant with Marie. They dug the hole for the new house on August 11, 1948 on Sharon Avenue the day Marie was born. Soon after Josephine died in January of 1949, Sophie and Rudy moved from her parents’ home to their own new house at 1901 Sharon Avenue with little Marie and Donnie.

Donnie recalled in 2005 that in 1949 they moved to their own new house. Washie contracted everything himself and by doing that he saved a lot of money. He paid maybe $12,000 and paid it off in under ten years.

Washie used to pick Donnie up on Saturday mornings, and together they would deliver Hornaday milk, cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, etc., door to door, they would serve all Haughville.

Donnie learned how to drive standing up in a milk truck at 11 years of age. They drove from house to house.

Washie got up at 4 AM every day and worked six days per week, except for Sundays. He had a route, actually three different routes. For example, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday he would cover one route. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday another route, etc. He would cover a huge area - all Haughville.

He got up at 4 AM, drove to the dairy near White River (Washington Street?), loaded all the milk and dairy products, knew his order, iced it all down, began delivering milk at 6:00 AM or 6:30 AM, picked up Donnie on Saturday mornings at 9 AM, would drop Donnie off at home at 3:30 PM, drove back to the dairy, left his truck, took care of the required paperwork and on the way home stopped at Turk’s Tavern or the Nash.

Washie knew everybody and he would have breakfast at everybody’s house. Donnie hated it and leaned on the horn of his dad’s milk truck.

Rudolph and Sophie had three children:

1. Donald Francis Bozic (March 28, 1941)
2. Marie Ann Bozic (August 11, 1948)
3. John Anthony Bozic (October 9, 1952)

Washie never said a word about his parents to his children or Sophie.

For Sophie’s birthday Rudy bought her the best candy in downtown Indianapolis. Sophie was a great cook. She was used to hard work since her childhood. She was older than most of her siblings, so she took care of them and spent a lot of time washing and ironing.

Rudy was full of mischief. He ran around with Sophie’s cousin Stanley Mervar, Lefty Milharcic, and Joe Dezelan.

Rudy was a good poker player. He often played with Monsignor Bockhold and other friends. They also went fishing and hunting together. They hunted rabbits, pheasants and squirrels. Washie frequently fished on the Tippecanoe River (Tippy).

Every Saturday Rudy took his kids to a local dime store, where he bought for them toys and candy, perhaps as a bribe. In exchange the children often waited for hours in his car for their dad as he was having a good time at Turk’s Tavern. He always returned to the car in a good mood. After coming home he would get in trouble with his wife, Sophie.

Washie suffered from sugar diabetes. He ate sponge cake, since it was allowed on his diet. He liked popcorn. He fried potatoes in bacon fat. He would get mushrooms from the golf course. For Christmas he brought home lots of bags of nuts, and Marie and Washie "fought" for filberts.

Washie was a mannerly individual. Kids never saw him in his underwear; he never said a bad word in front of them or belch. Marie was surprised to find out after his death from his buddies that his favorite word was - Fuck. He liked music - Andy Williams, Perry Como. He loved music and whistled a lot and snapped his thumb to the beat. He knew many jokes and laughed contagiously.

According to everyone who met Rudy, he was a person of a genuinely kind, generous, and happy nature. He was a true admirer of life, who never hesitated to savor it. He was loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Washie was a milkman. He used to stop at Fonzy and Mary’s house on his way home and bring his extra milk for their children. Fonzy and Washie were very close friends.

Mary Mauser recalled in 2005: Rudy lived with his brother-in-law and half sister and their two girls after his parents died. His half-sister, Ann, was in a wheel chair and suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. There was some friction between Rudy and his older brother Frank. Frank was more serious and musically inclined. Rudy was happy-go-lucky. When Fonzy, Mary and the kids visited Rudy and Sophie, Rudy always played classical music. He enjoyed Montevoni as well. He enjoyed playing these records on his new stereo cabinet system. He drank beer with his buddies. Sophie worried when Rudy drank at the Nash because she knew he had sugar diabetes. He was just a great guy. He was always laughing. He did so much for Fonzy and Mary and the kids. The kids loved to go to Rudy’s house. Sophie was a wonderful cook and cooked a lot. Rudy also had a fireplace that Fonzy’s kids loved. Fonzy and Rudy were like brothers. Mary said "Rudy was a special person."

Charleyne Toth (Swoverland) recalled some things from her childhood. When Charleyne was a little girl in the 1940’s her parents did not have a car. She remembered how happy she was when uncle Rudy used to let his nieces and nephews pile up in the back of his big milk truck and drove them around. Sometimes the entire family would ride in his truck, sitting on milk boxes. He was funny, jolly, had a neat laugh, liked to have a good time, liked kids. He used to come over to visit Greg Swoverland when he was just a little kid. Tina and Sophie actually got (Greg) to walk.

Donnie Bozic remembered in 2005 that in their house on Sharon Street there was a poker table in the basement. Mom, Sophie, hated it. Washie and his guys played poker all night long. They smoked, drank, laughed and argued. There would normally be Washie, Joe Toth, Joe Turk, Henry Fon (he owned a grocery on Warman), Longie, and sometimes Tony Dawnorowicz and Monsignor Buckhold. They would laugh and laugh.

Washie taught Donnie how to fish. If they did not fish, they would hunt – they took a rifle and shot squirrels, rabbits, etc.

When Donnie was 11-12 years old, Rudy bought him a gun. He used to tell Donnie: "Aim for his nose", when shooting a rabbit. They used to hunt with Monsignor Bockhold - he was a nervous type of guy. They would meet at the end of the woods after hearing many shots. They would ask: "Did you get a squirrel?" - "No, an owl."

Uncle Washie was a gentle person, very understanding, remembered John Mauser in 2005. He encouraged John to go back to school. He influenced him more than uncle Washie knew. When John Mauser visited Donnie he was touched and impressed with the desk that Washie made for his son. It was made from a door and had four legs attached to it. Donnie studied at that table. In 1972 after John returned from his military service in Europe, uncle Washie repeated: "John, whatever you do, use that GI bill to go back to school." In 1973 John enrolled at IU in downtown Indianapolis, and then transferred to Purdue University.

Washie is the reason Donnie is a dentist. When Donnie was a junior in college majoring in chemistry Washie asked him one day: "What do you want to do, Donnie?" "I don’t know. I think I want to be a chemist" said Donnie. Washie replied: "No, I think you should be a dentist!" "OK" said Donnie and became a dentist.

Sophie went to work when Donnie went to dental school, in order to support his education.

Donnie and Jonnie had a dog named Jibbers. They bought him after seeing an ad in a newspaper. He was the smallest one in the litter, so the two brothers chose him. They wondered how to name him and solved that problem while passing a used car lot named Jibber’s Used Cars. Jibbers was John’s dog.

Donnie and Jonnie always fed Jibbers with table scraps. When Jibbers ate stew, he avoided peas. When he was finished, there would be a small pile of unbroken peas left on the side of his plate. Jibbers got so fat, that his belly dragged.

Washie loved that dog. In the winter time he brought him inside, put straw in his dog house, a cat took up residence there. Washie cried when Jibbers died. He buried Jibbers in the back yard.

Rudy always complemented Marie’s cooking regardless what and how she prepared her food.

Rudy loved to pop popcorn, especially in bacon fat. At Christmas he would bring home bags of mixed nuts in their shells. He would place a newspaper on the floor in front of the fireplace in the living room. All his kids would sit around him and wait for him to crack nuts. Marie especially loved the filberts.

Sophie worked nights to help put Don through school. Marie remembers her dad listening to baseball games on the radio through a lot of static.

Washie liked to drink and fish. When Donnie got out of dental school he said to his dad: "We will go to Canada." Donnie paid for that trip and he is very glad (in 2005) that he did it in the summer of 1972. They went to Canada, north of Thunder Bay, Ontario. They took King’s Highway. Dad was driving, took a boat, it got untied at one point.

They drove 6-8 hours on a tank full of gas. Then a different person would drive. The guy who drove the car would drive off to the side of the road to wake the rest of them up.

They had some good times fishing in Canada; they caught walleye. Washie made a bet with an Indian guy. They left on a boat with two bottles of scotch. Every time they caught a fish, they would have a shot. In the end their boat was full of fish and Washie and the Indian guy were drunk, waving from the boat.

By the time they left their campground, they had mountains of empty beer cans. One time they decided to see if there were any bears by the trash. Donnie yelled - "Bears". Tony got scared and ran for his life. Washie did not buy it.

If Donnie did not fall asleep one hour before his dad and the other guys, he would not be able to sleep at all since they snored loudly all night long. Washie snored very loudly.

Washie and Sophie came to visit Marie and Don after they got married.

Rudolph Anthony Bozic died at the age of 61 on November 17, 1975 while vacationing in Broward County, Florida. Last residence: 1901 N. Sharon. Pr. Paul Landwerlen. He was buried on November 21, 1975 in Indianapolis at Calvary Cemetery, Section 20, Row 9, Lot 7. SSN: 305-01-4684.

Washie was not a wealthy man. He was highly underpaid. When he died, he did not leave one unpaid bill behind. Donnie Bozic said in 2005: "We were poor. We just did not realize it."

Washie was elected to the Slovenian Hall of Fame and here are some excerpts from his plaque: "To all who knew him, Washie is best remembered as the genial neighborhood milkman, who combined his daily deliveries with friendly good humor and a helping hand. His delivery route was in the old Haughville Slovenian neighborhood and its environs. More than milk was delivered daily on HIS route. He visited and consoled the sick, checked the security of shut-ins, stoked the coal furnaces in the winter, stored the milk in the icebox if the customer was unable, and always lent a sympathetic ear to the woes and concerns of his customers. Washie spent a lot of his free time on the Tippecanoe River with a fishing rod in his hand. Washie included his church in his activities by serving on the church council and aided in working and planning for the financial security of the school and church. His witty sense of humor, mischievous gleam of the eye and infectious chuckle endeared him to all his friends and neighbors. Washie truly personified the virtues of the GOOD SAMARITAN."

After Washie died Sophie moved from the neighborhood because it had become dangerous. The house was burglarized several times.

She traveled to Europe and went on several cruises. She also spent a lot of time with her family.

Sophie lived her last years at Hickorywood Court, Indianapolis, Indiana 46224 in the house purchased for her by her sons Donnie and Jonnie. She really enjoyed her neighborhood and house.

Sophie Alberta Mauser (Bozic) died on March 22, 2003 at the age of 90. She outlived her husband by 28 years. She was buried in Indianapolis at Calvary Cemetery, Section 20, Row 9, Lot 7. SSN: 305-03-4863.

Click here to see images of Rudolph Bozic and Sophie Mauser.