wedding ANNIVERSARIES

 

 

 

Louis W. and Elsie M. Kirschner Sikes

Louis W. and Elsie M. Kirschner Sikes recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The couple were married by Pastor Cecil Brockman at the parsonage of Dripping Springs Baptist Church on January 3, 1948.

Elsie Sikes is the daughter of the late John and Oma Kirschner. She was born in Willis, Oklahoma and moved with her parents and six siblings to a farm located East of Denison in December, 1944. A big change from the small country school, she continued her sophomore year at historic DHS and graduated in 1946. She enjoyed the country music video featuring old DHS and reflected that she and other students would often sit on the walls outside the building just as those depicted in the video. After graduation, Elsie worked at Kress’ Department Store on Main Street.

Louis Sikes was born in Denison and is the son of the late Benjamin, Sr. and Cecil Sikes. He attended Layne Elementary and graduated from historic DHS in 1941. Louis remembers racing out the North door of the old school with his brother, Ben, and jumping into his car to speed home. After graduation, he worked at a local lumberyard and entered the Air Force in 1943. Louis served as a radio operator and gunner aboard a B24 Bomber and flew on numerous missions. After the war, he returned to Denison and was employed with the Katy Railroad.

One night, while out with some friends, he found a “million dollar baby in Kress’5 and 10 cent store”. Formal introductions were made through a mutual friend - Marie Curley. Louis and Elsie were soon off on their first date - a trip to the carnival - in his shiny black 1941 Ford.

After their marriage, Louis and Elsie built a small house and moved to 2319 W. Morton. In 1954, they joined Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church and remain faithful members today. The couple lived on Morton Street for many years, next door to the Church, and raised four children. In the mid-80’s, they renovated and moved to Louis’ boyhood home - 2328 W. Bond. Louis retired in 1985 after 40 years of service with the Katy railroad. Elsie retired from Wackers/Winns Department Store after 19 years of service.

The couple have enjoyed many happy years of making memories with their large family, church, neighbors, and friends and feel that they have been richly blessed.

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Jack and Betty Bond - 60th


Jack and Betty Bond of Denison marked their 60th wedding anniversary Aug. 24 with a celebration with family and friends. The couple married in 1947 in Denison after he returned from World War II.

Betty (Young) Bond graduated from Denison High School in 1945. She worked both outside and inside the home for many years. W.E. “Jack” Bond, a Grayson County native, was in World War II in Europe, serving in Gen. George Patton’s 739th Tank Battalion. He retired from Southern Pacific Railroad in 1986, is a member of the Elks Lodge, a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and enjoys golfing.

Both are active in World War II veterans’ groups and attend the First Presbyterian Church in Denison. They have three children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

 

Wayne and Bobbie Iafelice - 50th


Wayne and Bobbie Iafelice of Denison were honored July 19 with a surprise 50th wedding anniversary celebration at Kelly Square in Sherman. The party, themed “This Is Your Life,” was hosted by the couple’s children. Family and friends attended from Texas, Tennessee, Illinois, California and Washington.

The couple married July 19, 1957 at Emmanual Baptist Church in Denison. Officiating was the Rev. A.P. Skaggs. Attendants were Carolyn (Moncrief) Wright of Denison and Billy Mack who was stationed at Perrin Air Force Base. Bobbie Iafelice is the daughter of Arthur and Mary Ford of Denison and graduated from Denison High School in 1956. She worked at the Old Dixie Dog Restaurant and the Denison Cotton Mill office and was a bookkeeper for Lilley’s Department Store. She then was a full-time homemaker and mother until her husband’s retirement from the military and the couple’s return to Denison. She returned to work, serving for more than 22 years as a church secretary, first for Calvary Baptist Church and then for Trinity Baptist Church in Sherman from which she retired in 2002.

Wayne Iafelice is the son of the late Roy Iafelice and Onda Eldred of Cleveland Ohio. He attended Cleveland schools and graduated in 1955 from Collinwood High School. He served 22 years in the United States Air Force, followed by 15 years with Gene Ford Plumbing, 10 years at Sam’s Club and five years at Bratcher Funeral Home, retiring completely in 2006.

The couple has been active members of Parkside Baptist Church for more than 23 years where he serves as an ordained deacon and teacher for the Men’s Fellowship Bible Class. Both have served on various committees and she is currently active in the church’s Intercessory Prayer Ministry and serves as secretary for the Pacesetters’ Leadership Team.

The Iafelice’s children are Stephen and Donna Iafelice of Peoria, Ill., Trudy and Frank Wells of Murfreesboro, Tenn. and Penny and Greg Andrews of Denison. There are seven grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and three step great-grandchildren.


 

Ray and Kay Fritts - 50th

Ray and Kay Fritts of Pottsboro were honored July 14 with a 50th wedding anniversary party. The celebration was held at Tanglewood Resort and Conference Center and hosted by their children.

The Fritts were married July 10, 1957 in Denison. Kay Fritts was born in Denison, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.K. Sampson. She attended Denison Schools.

Ray Fritts was born in Denison, the son of Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Fritts. He attended Denison schools and is employed with Fritts Concrete Construction.

The couple have one son, Toby Fritts, of Pottsboro, and two daughters, Brenda Stewart of Cooper and Debbie Henderson of Pottsboro. There are eight grandchildren.


 

Ray and Patsy Morrison - 50th
Ray and Patsy Morrison of Pottsboro were honored Saturday with a reception marking their 50th wedding anniversary. The celebration was held at East Baptist Church in Denison.

Hosts for the reception were the couple’s children and grandchildren — Tammie and Steve Anderson, Alfred and Terri Morrison, Alicia and Eddie Gossett, Justin Anderson and Savannah, Michael and Kristiffer Morrison and Jarrett Anderson. Both the Morrisons were born and raised in Denison. They were married April 13, 1957 in Durant, Okla. and lived in Denison until 1964 when they moved to Pottsboro. Ray Morrison retired from Kwikset in 2004 and Patsy Morrison retired from the Pottsboro School cafeteria in 1990.


 

Chuck and Judy Schuessel - 50th
Chuck and Judy Schuessel of Denison were honored with a surprise 50th wedding anniversary dinner party Jan. 19. The celebration was held at T-Bones in Denison. Hosts were the Schuessel’s son and daughter-in-law, Marty and Natalie Schuessel of Arlington, and Judy Schuessel’s niece, Angela Clute, of College Station. The Schuessels were married Jan. 19, 1957 in the chapel at the former Perrin Air Force Base. Officiating was Father John Cmiel. Attendants were Sherry Franklin and William Willette.

Judy Schuessel was born in Denison, daughter of the late Leonard and Ruby Overturf. She graduated from Denison High School in 1957 and has held various jobs through the years.

Chuck Schuessel was born in St. Louis, Mo., son of the late Charles and Elizabeth Schuessel. He served in the United States Air Force for 23 years, retiring in 1976. The couple then moved to Denison and he was employed by Texas Instruments for 17 years.

In addition to a son, the Schuessels have two granddaughters.

 

Jim and Ellen Burger - 50th

Jim and Ellen Burger of Denison marked their 50th anniversary with a renewal of wedding vows and a reception on Feb. 3, 2007. The celebration was from 2 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Southside Baptist Church in Denison. Hosts were Ron Burger of Denison, Ariana Burger of Tulsa, Okla. and other family members and friends.

The Burgers were married Feb. 1, 1957 by the Rev. Wayne Imboden.

Ellen Burger was born in Pottsboro, the daughter of Arthur and Graccie Nicholas. She attended Layne Elementary in Denison, Denison High School, Grayson County College and the University of Texas at Arlington. In 1970, she became the first woman to be hired on to the Texas Tech University police force. She retired from Texoma Medical Center after 20 years of service and is employed part time by Dr. O.H. Habal. She is a member of the Gate City Chapter Eastern Star.

Jim Burger was born in Akron, Ohio, the son of Richard and Edna Burger. He attended Schumacher Elementary School, Buchtel High School, Hartford Community College, the University of Maryland and Grayson County College. He was in the United States Air Force for 20 years. For his service in Vietnam, he received the Air Force Accommodation Medal and the Bronze Star. He also received an award for inventing a safety device for the ejection seats of airplanes. After the Air Force, he worked at LOF for 17 years, retiring in 1997. He is a memer of the Lone Star Masonic Lodge in Denison.

Both are members of Southside Baptist Church and the church’s Senior Saints group.

The Burgers have two children, Ron Burger of Denison and the late Jim Burger Jr., and one grandchild.

 

Carl and Doris Bilderback - 50th


Carl and Doris Bilderback of Pottsboro were honored Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, with a 50th wedding anniversary reception. The celebration was from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Calvary Baptist Church, 300 W. Acheson in Denison. Hosts were their daughters and sons-in-law. The Bilderbacks met while both were students at East Texas Baptist College in Marshall. They were married at the Grand Bluff Baptist Church between Marshall and Carthage where Carl Bilderback was serving as pastor.

Doris Bilderback was born in Port Arthur, the daughter of Frank and Myrtis Feltman. She graduated in 1956 from Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur and, later, earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii. She is a housewife, mother and grandmother and aids her husband in his pastoral duties.

Carl Bilderback was born and raised in Denison, the son of Earl and Mary Bilderback. He is a 1954 graduate of Denison High School, attended East Texas Baptist College and earned degrees from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Southwestern Theological Seminary. He served as a military chaplain in the United States Air Force for 26 years, retiring in 1994 as the Command Chaplain for the Air Force Intelligence Command at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio. While in the service, the Bilderbacks were stationed in a variety of locations, stateside and abroad. Since his retirement, Carl Bilderback has served as interim pastor for six churches including Calvary Baptist and Hyde Park Baptist, both of Denison, and Georgetown Baptist and First Baptist of Pottsboro. He is now the full-time pastor for the First Baptist Church of Pottsboro.

The Bilderbacks have two daughters and sons-in-law — Deborah and David Clark of Monroe, Ga. and Sheila and Steve Richardson of Whitehouse — four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

The reception is open to friends and family.


The couple will continue the anniversary celebration later this year with a trip to Hawaii where Carl Bilderback was stationed for several years during his military service. Their daughters and sons-in-law will accompany them.
 

THE PIRKLES CELEBRATE  58th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 

Rodney and Rosemary Jones Pirkle, 1947 DHS Graduates, celebrated their 58th Wedding Anniversary on September 4, 2006.  They married at the First Baptist Church in Denison on September 4, 1948, with the former Dr. Guy D. Newman officiating.  Their close friends, Carl Ray Hill and Virgil Dean McVay Hill, also DHS graduates, were their best man and maid of honor.  Other DHS graduates in their wedding party were John Hicks, Martha White Travis and Marjorie Bridgefarmer Wilburn. Their overnight honeymoon was spent at the Grayson Hotel in Sherman, Texas. They lived in Denison for one year and then moved to Dallas after Rodney was layed off from the KATY Railroad in Denison.  Rodney went then went to work in Dallas for the KATY Railroad and retired in 1991 after 42 years of service. 

Rodney and Rosemary are retired and live in Arlington.  Rodney plays golf with Arlington Senior Men's Golf Association,  and plays softball with Arlington Senior Softball Association.  Rosemary is a volunteer at the Arlington Memorial Hospital and is a member of the Arlington Woman's Club. They are members of Lamar Baptist Church in Arlington. 

They have one daughter, Darlene, married to Jim Berry of Murphy, Texas and two grandsons, Brian Berry and his wife Shelley, of Rockwall, Texas, and Steven Berry of Rowlett, Texas.  Their son, Rodney, Jr., is deceased.

Clemens "Clemo" and Mary Evelyn McCoy - 65 years

 

Clemens "Clemo" and Mary Evelyn McCoy of Denison celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Sept. 14. They were married at her parents' home by Rev. L.R. Lamb with Wanda Ransom Wilson attending.
Mary Evelyn, formerly Forisha, graduated from Denison High School. Clemo also graduated from Denison High and was owner of McCoy's Auto Parts for 30 years.  
 

Ronnie D. and Virginia Carter Bruce - 50 years

Ronnie and Virginia Carter Bruce marked their 50th wedding anniversary August 10, 2006.  Both graduated in 1955 from Denison High School.  Virginia worked at Creamway, Diaper Jeans and the Denison ISD before she retired in 1999 from the Wharton School District.  Ronnie worked for Nathan Crouch, the Katy Railroad and Johns-Mansville.  They have one daughter, Rhonda Cantrell and one granddaughter.

Billy and Mildred Holcomb - 50 years

Billy Wayne and Mildred Christine Pate Holcomb marked their golden wedding anniversary on July 1, 2006, by repeating their wedding vows followed by a reception. They were married June 30, 1956, in Paris. Billy grew up in Denison and attended Denison schools. He is retired from American General Life and Accident Insurance Co., and now works part-time at Albertson's.  He is the former CEO and president of the International Country Gospel Music Association. He wrote "Theater Row: Movie Palaces of Denison," which was published in 1999 He is active in Gene Autry museum events.  Mildred grew up in Paris and now is a home health care provider.  They have two daughters, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Richard and Verna Allen - 60 years

Richard and Verna Allen celebrated 60 years of marriage on June 22, 2006. They married June 22, 1948, in Denison.  Verna was born in Muenster and graduated from St. Xavier's catholic High School in Denison. She was employed as manager of the Top value Stamp Store, at Janet's, Lilley's and Young Fashions. Richard was born in Pottsboro and graduated from Denison High School before beginning his career keeping books for Ballard Biscuit Company, which later became Pillsbury. He worked for 42 years as the distribution manager before retiring.  They have three children, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

 

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