Engagement
Adam and Kohl
Ashley Grace Adam and Christopher James Kohl are engaged to be married. She is the daughter of David and Dru Ann Adam of Smithville, Mo., and the granddaughter of Merwyn and Evelyn Grace of Gower, Mo., and Ronald and Irene Adam of Lathrop, Mo. He is the son of Janice Carney of Stevens Point, Wis., and Tom and Karen Kohl of Cheyenne, Wyo., and the grandson of Joe Carney of Freeport, Ill. The future bride is a 2002 graduate of Platte County R-III High School. She is a 2006 graduate of Missouri State University, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega, with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education with an emphasis in science. She is pursuing her master's in educational administration from Southwest Baptist University. She is a second-grade teacher at Reeds Spring Elementary School. The future groom is a 1993 graduate of West DePere Wisconsin High School and a 1997 graduate of S.U.N.Y Potsdam with a bachelor of science degree in speech communication and elementary education. He has a master's in educational administration from William Woods University. He is a physical education teacher at Wilson's Creek 5/6 school and a high school tennis coach at Parkview High School and Kickapoo High School in Springfield. Their wedding is to be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20, 2009 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Springfield. A reception, dinner and dance will follow at the Executive Conference Center in the 910 Ballroom.
Wedding
Dickens and Atha
Ashley Marie Dickens and Riley Patrick Atha, both of St. Joseph, were united in marriage on Oct. 18, 2008, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. She is the daughter of Brian Dickens, St. Joseph, and Jeanie Benitz, St. Joseph. He is the son of Patti and the late Raymond Atha. Fr. Matthew Brumleve officiated the ceremony. The bride was escorted by her father. A rehearsal dinner was held at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum. The reception took place at the St. Joseph Country Club. Erin Miller was the maid of honor. Dayle Dickens, Jaclyn Dickens, Summer Atha, Kelsey Atha, Megan Free and Laura Franken were bridesmaids. Best men were Regan and Reid Atha. Groomsmen were Ryan Nadolski, Jacob Hershewe and Jay Smith. Other participants in the wedding included ushers Brett Gilpin, Kirk Dickens, Chris Smith and Casey Parisoff; ringbearer Ben Pugh; flower girl Hayley Ott; and candlelighters Elle Miller and Michaela Miller. Ashley is a 2003 graduate of Bishop LeBlond. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2007 and is currently employed with Saint Joe Distributing. Riley graduated from Bishop LeBlond in 2002 and is a 2006 graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He is currently employed with Commerce Bank.
Anniversary
Curtis
Carl "Uncle Junior" and Anna "Aunt Annie" (Hook) Curtis will celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary. They were married on May 12, 1950 in St. Joseph. For most of their married life they have lived on a farm in Amity, Mo. Two years ago they moved to Savannah, Mo. He is retired from Farmland Industries Coop Division. She is retired from the Maysville (Mo.) School District. They are the parents of 11 children, of which two are deceased. They have numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their children invite friends and family to celebrate their anniversary at an open house in the couple's honor. It will be held at the Savannah Fire Dept. Conference Room from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 10; or cards may be sent to 501 E. Main St., Apt. 28, Savannah, MO 64485.
Engagement
Davis and Reden
Heather Renee Davis and Shane Robert Reden are engaged to be married at 6 p.m. May 16, 2009 in Troy, Kan. The bride's parents are Sandy and Corkey Ezzell and Robert E. Davis, all of St. Joseph. The groom's parents are Marla Cummings and John and Lucy Reden, all of Troy. A reception will follow at the Troy Community Center. Friends and family are invited.
Anniversary
Farrow
Glenn and Dee (Henry) Farrow will celebrate 40 years of marriage on May 10. They were married on that date in 1969 at Oak Grove (now Maxwell Heights) Presbyterian Church in St. Joseph. They have three children: Donald Farrow, Agency, Mo.; Richard and Toni Farrow, Agency; and Nancy and Rick Roller, Knoxville, Tenn. They have two grandsons: Chris Berry in Knoxville; and Max Farrow in St. Joseph; two granddaughters: Lacey Farrow in McDonough, Ga.; and Josephine Farrow in St. Joseph; two step grandsons, Andrew and Dakota Roller; and one step granddaughter, Rachele Roller, all in Knoxville.
Engagement
Foster and Carr
Everett and Jackie Foster of Newtown, Mo., are pleased to announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Courtney Foster, to Tom Carr, the son of Larry and Pat Carr of Savannah, Mo. The future bride is a 2005 graduate of Newtown-Harris R3 High School and is attending Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. The future groom is a 2001 graduate of North Andrew High School and Vatterott College and is employed by New Breed Logistics in St. Joseph. The couple will be united in marriage on June 13, 2009 at Newtown Christian Church, Highway 139 South, Newtown. Following the 1 p.m. wedding, a reception will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn in St. Joseph. Family and friends are invited.
Engagement
Gallagher and Coleman
Laura Ann Gallagher of Maryville, Mo., and Keath Roger Coleman of Kansas City, Mo., are engaged to be married. She is the daughter of Daniel and Katrina Gallagher, Maryville. He is the son of David and Candace Coleman. Their wedding will be at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2009, at St. Gregory's Catholic Church in Maryville.
Engagement
Groce and Akasaki
Tia Lynne Cooper Groce, daughter of John and Darcy Groce, and Adrian Lawaia Akasaki, son of Kirk and Cindy Akasaki, are engaged to be married. Their wedding is to be at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2009, at First Christian Church in St. Joseph.
Anniversary
Keller
Norman and Doris Keller of rural Stewartsville, Mo., will observe their 60th wedding anniversary Thursday, May 14. They were married on that date in 1949 in Plattsburg, Mo. He retired after nearly 50 years as the owner of Keller Construction/Land Improvement, his bulldozing business. She taught in rural schools in Clinton County several years. Their children are Kenneth and Shelly Keller of Stewartsville, Cheryl Mann of Gower, and Gary Keller of Lawrence, Kan. There are four grandchildren, one deceased granddaughter and one great-granddaughter. No special celebration is planned. Cards may be sent to the honorees at 7090 N.W. 336th St., Stewartsville, MO 64490.
Anniversary
King
Norman E. "Dinger" and Sharon King were married on May 8, 1958 at the Wesley Methodist Church in St. Joseph. Dinger worked with the Highway Dept. for 36 years while Sharon was a homemaker. They have two sons: Norman N. King of Parkville, Mo., and Kevin King of Quatar, Saudi Arabia. A family celebration will be held at a later date. Cards may be sent to 3009 Mayfair Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64506.
Anniversary
Kretzer
John and Ruth (Keeney) Kretzer of St. Joseph celebrated 45 years of marriage on May 2. They were married on that date in 1964 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He is retired from Lehr Construction Co. She is retired from Girl Scouts of the Midland Empire. The couple has three children: Sandy Kretzer and John Kretzer of St. Joseph; and Lisa Adams of Lebanon, Mo. There are three grandchildren, Drew, Paige and Chase Ellis. Cards may be sent to the honorees at 1608 Seymour, St. Joseph, MO 64503.
Anniversary
Martin
Victor and Anna Faye (Strong) Martin of St. Joseph will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on May 8. They were married on that date in 1949 at DeKalb Christian Church in DeKalb, Mo. Victor retired from St. Joseph Light and Power after 39 years of service. Anna Faye worked for Fletcher Mayo Advertising for 40 years and Marketing Support for 10 years before retirement. They have one child, Stacy Leigh Beamer, her and husband, Ross, and three grandchildren, Marty, Ashleigh and Chase, all of Platte City, Mo. A family celebration is planned at a later date. Cards may be sent to them at 3812 N. 29th St., St. Joseph, MO 64506.
Engagement
Parton and Taber
Brooke Rene Parton and Jarret Steven Taber are engaged to be married. She is the daughter of Janet Parton of Gower, Mo., and Doug Parton of Stewartsville, Mo. Her maternal grandparents are Joe and Janette Allgaier of Plattsburg, Mo., and her paternal grandparents are the late William and Winona "Sally" Parton, Stewartsville. He is the son of Steve and Kim Taber of Gower. His maternal grandparents are Katie Musser and the late Jim Holder, Gower. His paternal grandparents are Thelma Libeer of Plattsburg and Earl Libeer of Gower. The couple is from Gower. A private ceremony will take place May 15, 2009, at Perkins Park in Plattsburg. Friends and family are invited to a reception at 7:30 p.m. at the Plattsburg Community Courtyard. Brooke is a graduate of East Buchanan High School and is pursuing a nursing degree from Missouri Western State University. She is currently employed as an office assistant with Shelter Ins. Jarret graduated from East Buchannan High School and is a mechanic at Rolling Hills Auto Plaza.
Engagement
Reynolds and Cozad
Kristen Danielle Reynolds and Matthew John Cozad are engaged to be married. She is the daughter of Brian and Karen Reynolds of Peoria, Ariz. He is the son of John and Joyce Cozad of St. Joseph. The wedding will take place May 23, 2009, at the Wyatt Park Baptist Church in St. Joseph. Kristen graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2008 with a BS in biochemistry. She is a first-year medical student at MU. Matthew is a 2008 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he received a B.S. in biological engineering. He is currently a PhD student in biological engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The couple resides in Columbia.
Anniversary
Ruhnke
Douglas and Florence (Albers) Ruhnke celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on April 15. They were married on April 15, 1949 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lawrence, Kan., and have resided most of their married life in Troy, Kan. Douglas retired from owning and operating Troy Auto and Tractor Parts after 26 years. Florence retired from the Troy Postal Service after 29 years. They are the parents of three children: Wayne Ruhnke, deceased in 1975; Arlen Ruhnke and his wife, Barbara, of Troy; and Rosa Madison of Everest, Kan. They have seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a family celebration. Friends or acquaintances are still welcome to send greetings to the honorees at PO Box 333, Troy, KS 66087.
Anniversary
Smith
Norman and Bonnie Garrison Smith celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Friday night, May 1, with a dinner for family and friends at the Holiday Inn. They were married May 1, 1959 in St. Joseph. There will be a reception today, May 3, at the home of their sister-in-law, Mrs. Wayne Smith, in Rushville, Mo. Mrs. Diane Riggs and Mrs. Tonya Downing will be co-hosting the event. The couple plan a trip to Colorado later this summer.
Anniversary
Weston
Al and Rose (Coon) Weston of Warsaw, Mo., recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. They were married on April 25, 1959, at the home of a friend in Kansas City, Mo. They lived most of their married life in southern Buchannan County in the Dearborn/Faucett area. Family and friends hosted a dinner on April 25 followed by a surprise celebration on April 26 at the Community Building in Warsaw. Their children are Marilyn (Stanley) Johnson, Al (Michelle) Weston, Paul (Rhonda) Weston, Paula (David) Johnson, and Jolene (Joshua) Rodriquez. There are 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. No gifts, please; however, cards may be sent to 29218 Shadow Lane, Warsaw, MO 65355.
