Meet Your Neighbor

Read more about your neighbors featured in the latest issue of the Minerva Park Community Association Newsletter

Meet Diane Schrimpf & John Klopovic! They moved to Minerva Lake Rd in 1986 after relocating from Cleveland for Diane’s career. After a few years in Reynoldsburg, they decided to buy a home. Initially, their house-hunting journey wasn’t going well—until Diane spotted an ad for the home in the Sunday paper. Unfamiliar with the area, they turned off Route 3 into a picturesque neighborhood and purchased the 1956 home from its original owners. One look at the backyard creek, and Diane knew it was perfect!

Diane & John met while attending Cleveland State during a work-study trip to the National Institutes of Health. Traveling in separate cars, they didn’t meet until a lunch stop—where they caught each other’s eye. The rest, as they say, is history. This September, they celebrate 50 years of marriage!

John graduated with a degree in psychology but spent his career in business taxation. He started his career at United Way in Cleveland and worked at Sofa Express in Columbus. He retired in 2016. 

Diane graduated with a biology degree focusing on botany, but her career journey took her into project management. She worked for many companies, primarily developing business-to-business software and new products. She retired in 2017. 

In nearly 40 years in the village, they’ve witnessed its ups and downs. They appreciate its growth and expansion, but contend with increased traffic. The progress of MPCA and MinervaFlora is especially exciting.

The couple enjoys reading, gardening, and are big music fans. They have an extensive album collection and have many favorite musicians. 

After retirement, Diane became more involved in the village and served on the council from 2018-2022. During that time, she also started supporting MPCA by helping with the directory, the membership drive, and is the editor of this newsletter! 

Fun Facts: 

• Diane has been a volunteer court-appointed guardian for 25 years! She supports people in long-term care and nursing homes who need someone to help with doctor’s appointments, ensure they’re being treated well, and just spend time with them. She has worked with many people over the years and has supported three individuals for over 5 years. Diane visits weekly, and John will join her at times, especially when visiting men, as it helps the seniors connect. 

• Josh and Diane are avid music fans and have a very large album collection. They don’t see live music much anymore, but still enjoy keeping up with musicians featured on Saturday Night Live. John’s favorite “sunny Spring afternoon” album is Alone Together by Dave Mason. Diane has an eclectic taste and said it would be too hard to pick a favorite! 

• Diane has always enjoyed baking and takes pride in her pastries and pies. During COVID she used her extra free time at home to pursue cooking more. John said it came naturally as she comes from a long line of great cooks, and he loves to be the taste tester!

If you or a neighbor would like to be featured in an upcoming Meet Your Neighbor article, please email ErinCaseyOxender@gmail.com.