Commemorating 80 Years in Business!
Whitely Printing Company
(The following details in this first section were recently discovered in a document found on the computer of Donald Madzay (deceased July 5, 2017) dated October 9, 2012 and is accurate to the best of our knowledge.)
Our story begins back in 1946 around the time of the "Glad Nations" International Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses held in Cleveland, Ohio. During World War II, the Whitely Printing Company was used to bring printing parts and literature into Canada to assist the brothers and sisters experiencing difficulties there during that time. The printery was located at W. 25th St and Franklin Ave in Cleveland, Ohio and operated on the lower level while the upper level was used as a Kingdom Hall.
Two of the brothers and sisters who worked for Whitely Printing were John and Anna Madzay who were invited to work during vacations and weekends since John was a printer by trade. John and Anna learned the truth around 1930 from John's father Andy. In addition to helping our spiritual family in Canada, Whitely Printing also had commercial accounts in Cleveland.
When World War II ended and there was no longer a need to assist our Canadian brothers, Whitely Printing continued to operate in Cleveland producing placards, paper signs advertising public talks at circuit assemblies, and other religious materials, such as The Messenger, the convention report for the 1946 'Glad Nations' International Convention held in Cleveland, Ohio. To organize this convention, Br. Nathan H. Knorr came to Cleveland and held a meeting asking if any of the brothers or sisters who had worked with Whitely Printing would like to continue to serve the commercial accounts. John and Anna Madzay accepted the offer. The commercial accounts were transferred and several pieces of printing equipment were sold to them.
Madzay Printing Co.
After the 1946 convention, John, Anna, and their three sons moved from Akron to Cleveland, Ohio and started the Madzay Printing company and continued the printing of placards and paper signs advertising the public talks at circuit assemblies. In 1950, 1953, and 1958, printed bumper signs advertising the New York conventions for those years were added. Silk-screened yeartext banners for Kingdom Halls and homes, “No Blood Transfusion” wallet sized cards (before DPA cards), circuit assembly lapel cards and Attendant ribbons were added later.
John Madzay and his sons David (left), Jerry (middle), and Donald (right)
John and Anna Madzay advertising J. F. Rutherford's talk (1939)
Donald Madzay (4 years of age) advertising J. F. Rutherford's talk (1939)
John and Anna Madzay with sons David (left), Jerry (middle), and Donald (right)
Madzay Printing, 3265 W. 17th St, Cleveland, Ohio, 1959
John and Donald Madzay running presses at Madzay Printing
Donald and Esther's Theocratic Privileges
In 1955 Donald Madzay, John and Anna’s eldest son, married Esther Bakies who came from a strong spiritual family. Esther's father Edward Bakies had the heavenly hope and her mother Mary Bakies attended the 1922 convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. On September 1, 1956, Donald and Esther entered full-time service. After serving in a number of congregations in Northeast Ohio, they were invited to the 35th class of Gilead in January 1960. While at Gilead, Donald served as Br. Albert Schroeder's personal secretary. At graduation, Br. Schroeder asked Donald, Esther, and a few others to stay at South Lansing Gilead for a special project. In September, 1960 they were reassigned to Brooklyn Bethel while their passports were being prepared for their new missionary assignment—New Zealand!
Donald and Esther in their class photo for the 35th class of Gilead
Donald and Esther on graduation day from Gilead
Donald (foreground) and Esther (left) in South Lansing, New York after graduating from Gilead
Business Name Change
A few years into Donald and Esther's missionary assignment, Donald's father, John became ill. So Donald and Esther moved back to Ohio to help care for him. Soon thereafter, they had their son Eric. After John's death in 1966, Donald worked with his mother in operating Madzay Printing. Two years later, Donald and Esther welcomed their new daughter Susan. During this time period, greeting cards, notebooks and Bible Character Flash Cards were added to the product line. To help out, a few regular pioneers were hired such as Nicholas Gus (now retired circuit overseer, serving with his wife Fran in their 58th year of special full-time service), Judy Muscella, and Nancy Wise, both formerly Tenke who continue to pioneer. Nancy still works with us to this day.
In August, 1977, Donald and Esther moved the family and business to Arizona at which time the business name was changed to Madzay Color Graphics Inc. During this period, yeartext wall calendars, full-color yeartext banners, clear vinyl bookcovers, bookmarks, and Bible Scripture Flash cards were added. Seven years later, the family and business moved back to Ohio because of the upcoming marriage of Eric and Tammy Corlett in 1985. Tammy started working for the business a few months before the wedding handling various office tasks. Eric and Tammy served as regular pioneers in Cleveland, Ohio while working part-time for the business. Shortly after their marriage, Eric began to lose his vision due to a virus attacking his optic nerves. He was legally blind for about 4 years. Gratefully, the condition reversed to the degree where he could once again function normally.
Donald Madzay operating a Linotype machine which created lines of text from hot lead for old printing presses
Computers Improve Efficiency
For the decades prior to 1986, we handled everything manually on paper—from processing orders, receiving payments, tracking inventory to designing products for print. For example, transfer letters were used at that time to create artistic text and designs. This involved the process of rubbing the back of a clear plastic carrier sheet to transfer the wax and pigment to paper underneath to create a camera-ready copy of text to be eventually printed on a press. Also, for decades, the choosing of photos for our products involved requesting a submission of 4x5 film positives from various photographers for review on a light-table. Once chosen, the photos were provided to the printer for enlargement, plate-making and printing.
That all changed in the late 1980's and early 1990's when Eric began integrating computers into our business. Our order processing became digital eventually allowing us to build a website and start conducting business online. Computers brought the ability to design products digitally, edit images, page layout, and so on.
Madzay Color Graphics Then To Now
In 1990, Eric and Tammy welcomed their first son Ethan. In 1991, Eric was appointed as an elder and is currently serving as COBE in the West congregation in Brunswick. In 1996, Jonah was born. As Ethan and Jonah became teenagers, they worked in the business some days each week after school. After high school, Ethan pioneered for almost 10 years and is currently serving as a ministerial servant in the nearby Columbia Hills congregation along with his wife. Jonah has been in full-time service for 10 years since beginning to pioneer out of high school. He is currently serving at Patterson Bethel and is an elder in his congregation.
During the 1990's and early 2000's we began offering pocket calendars and various types of ministry organizers to hold magazines, brochures and tracts.
In 1997, Eric and Tammy became owners of the business and continue to serve in that capacity. Tammy enjoys helping with new product concepts, product development and customer service. Ethan heads up our IT department which includes website maintenance, marketing, order fulfillment, inventory, etc. Eric continues his role in product design, product photography, prepress, marketing and accounting.
On July 5, 2017, Donald Madzay passed away. He served faithfully from his baptism in 1944 at the age of nine and served as an elder from the outset of the elder arrangement until his death. Esther Madzay continues to serve Jehovah faithfully in the West congregation in Brunswick, Ohio.
Eric and Tammy Madzay helping at SMPW orientation, March, 2025
Tammy, Jonah (center) and Ethan (right) while visiting Jonah at Patterson Bethel
Donald Madzay at a congregation meeting on February 2, 2017
It has been a pleasure serving our customers for 80 years and we thank you for your interest in our products. We continue to enjoy working together as fellow worshippers of Jehovah. Those working in the office cherish the joy they receive from interacting with their brothers and sisters. It continues to be our goal to adapt quickly to organizational changes and to provide attractive, practical products of good quality with friendly service while keeping our business a manageable size so that we all may continue "seeking first the Kingdom."—Matt. 6:33.
