Anniversaries

Celebrating Golden Anniversary

George and Sally Gray Schmalz of Wheeling celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 26. They were united in marriage on June 26, 1971, at the Christ United Methodist Church in Wheeling. The Rev. F. Emerson Wood officiated the ceremony. Sally is the daughter of the late Calvin and Odessa Gray. She retired as a kindergarten teacher from McNinch Elementary in Moundsville after 33 years of service. George is the son of the late George and Helen Schmalz. He retired as an ironworker from Local 549. Since retirement they have been avid travelers from the U.S. to Italy, ...

Couple Celebrates 65th

Ralph and Mary Jo Koontz of New Martinsville celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 14. Mary Jo is the daughter of the late Francis and Alice Lemasters of Dale, W.Va. Ralph is the son of the late Andrew and Mabel Koontz of New Martinsville. Their family includes Dale and his wife Malynda, Gary and his wife Tracy, six grandchildren, one special granddaughter, five great-granddaughters and two great-grandsons. Ralph retired from Union Carbide after 32 years, and Mary Joe retired from the Post Office after 20 years. They were married on the evening of June 14, 1956, in ...

Wilsons Celebrate 67 Years

Robert and Helen Wilson of West Alexander, Pa., celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on June 5 with a family anniversary party. They were married at the Dallas Methodist Church in Dallas, W.Va. Helen is the daughter of the late Melvin and Margaret Johnson Winters. Robert is the son of the late Luther and Anna Toland Wilson. Helen is a retired nurses’ aide. She is a writer and a member of the National Poetry Association. Robert was a tank commander in the Korean War and retired as first vice chair of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees of the CSX ...

Couple Celebrating 57 Years

Robert E. Rodgers Sr. and Donna R. Rodgers were united in marriage on June 13, 1964, at a little Baptist church in West Los Angeles, Calif. The couple resides in Martins Ferry. Robert worked for the railroad from 1970-2005 out of Mingo Junction and retired after 35 years. Robert is the son of the late Robert and Stella Rodgers. He had one brother and six sisters while growing up in Benwood. Donna is the daughter of the late Guy and Mable Young. She had two brothers and three sisters while growing up in Grafton, Ohio. They met at work one day at Packard Bell in West L.A. ...

Graciks Celebrate Golden

Mike and Annie Gracik of McMechen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 5. They were united in marriage June 5, 1971, at St. James Church, McMechen, by Father Daily. Bill and Debby Barnes served as their best man and maid of honor. They will be celebrating their golden Sept. 11. Annie Gracik is the daughter of the late Elzie and Dessie Whitlatch. Mike Gracik is the son of the late Florian and Josephine Gracik. He is a retired conductor for the CSX Railroad and the former Mayor of McMechen. They are the parents of a son, Brendan (Erica), of Morgantown, and one ...

Castilows Mark 60th

Al and Kitty Castilow will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday, June 10. Born and raised in Wheeling, the couple lived in Glendale for 23 years before moving to Summerville, S.C. Al is a 1959 graduate of Wheeling College, and Kitty Freismuth graduated from the Wheeling Hospital School of Nursing in 1960. They were united in marriage at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church on June 10, 1961 with the Rev. Philip Freeland officiating the ceremony. Al and Kitty reside in Charlotte, N.C. near their children, Kathy and husband Dave Fogle, Russ Castilow and wife Anna. A ...