Couples: September 19, 2006
Wedding: Weakley
Michelle Brakeman and Scott Weakley were married July 15, 2006, at the Church of Christ. The Rev. Bill Oakley officiated at the afternoon ceremony.
The maid of honor was Ashley Blankley. The best man was Jeff Weber. The bride’s other attendants were Katrina Leatherman, sister of the bride, Jessica Hill and Andrea Eubank. The groomsmen were Eric Eilert, Kyle Kopsa and Jim Schmidt. The flowergirl was Veronica Blankley; the ring bearer was Trevor Leatherman. Candlelighters were Mary Brakeman, mother of the bride, and Judy Weakley, mother of the bridegroom. Ushers were Micheal Weakley, brother of the bridegroom, Brad Weakley and Jeff Crisp. The guestbook attendant was Kathy Weakley. Lori Hodge was the program attendant and Barry Weakley played the wedding music. The camera man was Austin Weakley and special helper, Paige Rogers.
The wedding reception was at the church. The gift attendant was Marilyn Weakley and Caroline Iverson, the punch attendant. The cake servers were Pat Hamlin and Tracey Crisp. The wedding rehearsal dinner was at Jones Park.
The couple live at Americus.
The bride graduated from Northern Heights High School and works at Birch Telecom.
The bridegroom graduated from Beloit High School and works at Norfolk Iron and Metal.
She is the daughter of Rodney and Mary Brakeman of Americus.
He is the son of Jim and Judy Weakley of Leoti.
Grandparents are Marion Copper and Thelma Brakeman, both of Broken Bow, Neb., and Elizabeth Bronaugh of Frankfort.
Wedding: Skillman
Mary Dill and Brett Skillman were married June 2, 2006, at Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Ark. The Rev. Douglas Reed officiated at the afternoon ceremony.
The matron of honor was Megan Wilson, sister of the bride. The bridesmaids were Lori Hoover, Trista Greiner and Beth Buchanan. The groomsmen were Bobby Wilson, Derek Bucheit, Shawn Weldin and Tony Hoch. The ringbearer was Blayne Wilson.
The wedding reception was held June 24 at the Hartford Community Building. The guestbook attendant was Shauni Lloyd.
The couple took a honeymoon trip to Taos, New Mexico, and live in New Strawn.
The bride graduated from Hartford High School and will graduate from Emporia State University in December 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
The bridegroom graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and agricultural technology management. He farms in the New Strawn area.
She is the daughter of Andrew and Angelea Stotler of Cheney and John Dill of Hartford. She is the granddaughter of Thelma Wheeler of New Strawn, Ada Dill of Neosho Rapids and the late Ben and Naomi Dill.
He is the son of Roy and Shirley Skillman of New Strawn. He is the grandson of Bud and Velma Strawder of Burlington and the late Oliver and Maxine Skillman.
Wedding: Jones
Casey Jo Birk and James “Jim” Michael Jones were married June 23, 2006, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Burlington. The Rev. Mike Hawken officiated at the ceremony.
The matron of honor was Heather Smith, sister of the bride. The best man was Craig Naylor. The bride’s other attendants were Shannon Birk and Alexa Brown. The groomsmen were Ben Moore and Preston Scarrow. The flower girls were Brooklyn Jones, daughter of the bridegroom, and Bailey Goodell. Candlelighters were Haeden Miller and Shelby Birk. Ushers were Heath Birk, brother of the bride, Ryan Naylor, Kiefer Smith and Cameron Smith.
Evelyn Ervin and Carrie Schuh were the wedding musicians. Danny Birk was the reader. The guestbook attendants were Heather Jones, sister of the bridegroom, and Samantha Naylor. The altar boys were Trevor and Chase Beyer.
The reception was at the 4-H Community Center in Burlington. The rehearsal dinner was at Across the Borders in Burlington.
The couple took a honeymoon trip to Nebraska and live in Emporia.
The bride graduated from Emporia State University with a bachelor’s degree in health promotion. She works at Flinthills Eyecare Associates.
The bridegroom attends Emporia State University where he is studying for a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He works for DeBauge Brothers.
She is the daughter of Douglas and Marcia Birk of Burlington.
He is the son of Mike and Judi Jones of Admire.
Grandparents are Wallace and Nadine Birk of Gridley, Donna Naylor of Emporia, Jack and P.J. Jones of Lebo and Karen Jones of Americus.
Wedding: Donahue
Justine Kaiser and former Emporian Robert Donahue were married June 10, 2006, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Old Town Alexandria, Va. The wedding reception was at the historic Carlyle House in Old Town Alexandria, Va.
The couple took a honeymoon trip to the Caribbean island of Anguilla.
The bride graduated from Lehigh University and the Washington School of Law - American University. She is an attorney with the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
The bridegroom graduated from the University of Kansas. He is a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service in Washington, D.C.
The couple live in Alexandria, Va.
She is the daughter of Elaine K. Kaiser and the late John K. Kaiser of Berwyn, Pa.
He is the son of Sally J. Donahue of Burlington and the late Michael J. Donahue of Casselberry, Fla.
Engagement: Dreiling
Mike and Diane Starr of Emporia announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Victoria Starr, to Grant Daryl Dreiling, son of Daryl and Debra Dreiling of Gardner.
Starr graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She works for Wyandotte County SRS.
Dreiling graduated from Emporia State University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He teaches at Shawnee Mission North High School in Kansas City.
The couple plan to marry Nov. 4, 2006, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Wedding: Stevens
Melissa Brooke Tidwell and Michael Salem Stevens were married April 28,2006, at the Church of the Magdalene in Wichita. The Rev. Benjamin Shockey officiated at the evening ceremony.
The matron of honor was Jennifer Petersen, sister of the bride. The best man was Ben Stevens, brother of the bridegroom. The bride’s other attendants were Kristyn Wiggins, sister of the bride, Jennifer Gaddis, sister of the bridegroom, Kelly Gray, Kristin Caro, Barbara Alexander and Karen Barth. The grooomsmen were Ryan Francisco, Chase Koch, Brandon Paulseen, Michael O’Shaughnessy, Jaime Rheem and Fred Gorges. Flower girls were Lauren Petersen, Emily Gottlob and Claudia Stevens. Ring bearers were William Wiggins and Christian Petersen. Michael Wiggins was the train bearer. Ushers were Matt Tidwell and Clint Gottlob, brothers of the bride, Tyler Porter, John Henak and Grant Moxley. Junior ushers were Ethan Tidwell and Clint Gottlob. Gift bearers were Lora Tidwell, Jamie Gottlob and Jacque Stevens.
Program distributors were Parker Petersen, Richard Wiggins and Bryce Petersen. Trey Cusik, Charlie Stevens and Maggie Reetz were the lectors. Program attendants were Stesha May, Holly Fohlmeister and Jenny Pendelton. Melanie Morgan was the guestbook attendant. The wedding musicians were Scott Hatchett, vocalist; Shirley Weibe, organist; Bryan Miller, trumpeter; and Chelley Graves, Suzie Schiffel, Camille Burrow and Cindy Cook, members of the string quartet.
The wedding reception and dance were at the Crestview Country Club in Wichita. The rehearsal dinner was at the Wichita Country Club.
The couple honeymooned in Tulum, Mexico and live in Wichita.
The bride works in advertising with Cox Communications at Wichita.
The bridegroom works in sales with Scholfield Auto.
She is the daughter of Terry and Jean Tidwell of Emporia. She is the granddaughter of the late Richard and Flavia Kerr and the late Quinton and Dee Day of Arkansas City.
He is the son of Jack and Alice Stevens of Wichita. He is the grandson of Annie Stevens and the late Nick Stevens of Wichita and Alice McDonough and the late James McDonough of Philadelphia, Pa.
Wedding: Ingalls
Kristi Michelle Reif and Bradley Wayne Ingalls were married April 29, 2006, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Great Bend. The Rev. Ted Stoecklein officiated at the afternoon ceremony.
Tammy Lichter was her sister’s matron of honor. The best man was Kip Wilson. The bride’s other attendants were Megan McMullen, Jamie Thurman, Rachel Nelson and Alison Winkelman. Groomsmen were Art Baker, Seth Potts, Andrew Adcock and Ty Wilson. The flower girls were Lauren Maresh and Ashlyn Maresh. Ushers were Ryan Maresh, Matt Murrell and Ryan Lichter. Evan Talkington and Hannah Talkington were candlelighters. The program attendants were Nicole Maresh and Megan Murrell, sisters of the bridegroom. Kathryn Wohlfeil was the scripture reader. The guestbook attendant was Jackie Hodson. Wedding musicians were Joyce Haberman, pianist; and Chris and Mindy Allen, vocalists.
The wedding reception, dinner and dance were at St. Patrick’s Parish Center. Reception attendants were Kristen baker, Audrey Pool, Jessa Stein and Lisa Fouts.
The couple honeymooned to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and live in Wamego.
The bride graduated from Great Bend High School and Fort Hays State University. She is a donor recruitment representative for the American Red Cross.
The bridegroom graduated from Chase County High School and Emporia State University. He is a police officer for the Riley County Law Enforcement Agency.
She is the daughter of Gary and Karen Reif of Great Bend.
He is the son of Don and Edna Ingalls of Strong City.
Wedding: Whited
Stacy Howell and Frank Whited were married July 15, 2006, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Rev. Ray May officiated at the afternoon service.
The maid of honor was Emily Weber. The best man was Dave Hayes. The bride’s other attendants were Denise Dinkel and Fawn Howell. The groomsmen were Matthew Howell, brother of the bride, and Richard Teeter. Reagan Nelson was the flower girl. Candlelighters were Emily Howell and Kayleigh Vann. Ushers were Kyle Howell, Matthew Howell and Richard Teeter. The wedding musicians were Paula Neuer, pianist; and Barb Newell and Jennifer Newell, vocalists. Readers were Kay Fulkerson and David Bugg. Guestbook attendants were Melissa Bugg and Jennifer Bugg. The bride carried a handkerchief that was carried by her great-great-grandmother, great-grandmother, grandmother and mother at their weddings.
The wedding reception was at Sacred Heart Parish Hall. The rehearsal dinner, catered by the Olpe Chicken House, also was at the Parish Hall.
The couple took a honeymoon trip to St. Louis, Mo., and live in Perry, Okla.
The bride graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She works at Eskimo Joe’s Clothes.
The bridegroom is a police officer at Perry, Okla.
She is the daughter of Kenneth and Jana Howell of Emporia. She is the granddaughter of Bill and Pat Bugg of Hennessey, Okla., and Doris Howell of Muldrow, Okla.
He is the son of Larry and Delta Whited of Quapaw, Okla. He is the grandson of May Mahurin of Quapaw, Okla.
Anniversary: Gasche
Ward and Eileen Gasche of Olpe observed their 60th wedding anniversary in August with a trip to Belleville, Ill., beginning at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. They then went to Irondale, Ala., and visited the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery. The Shrine, along with EWTN (a television network), were founded by Mother Angelica. Mrs. Gasche said they attended two Masses at “her beautiful church” and toured EWTN. She said, “Mother Angelica’s Catholic Network is televised in nearly every country in the world, except two, Chile and Cuba.” The Gasches attended Mass in the little church where Mass is televised each morning and attended the live showing of “Life on the Rock,” a talk show about living a life of faith. They visited nine states.
As part of the observance of their 60 years together, they had a family celebration at the Ralph Mitchell Zoo and Park in Independence, Kan.
Those attending were the couple’s five children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Karen and Jim Lindamood and Joshua and Brooke Lindamood, of Tulsa, Okla.; Jeremiah and Heather Harvey and their children, Seth, Luke, Abigail and Emma, of Baldwin City; Gary Gasche of Olpe; Brenda and Bob Blackard of Independence and their children, Jason of Lawrence and Kelsey of Independence; Mitch and Sandra Kilcrease and their children, Hanna and Molly of Stillwater; and Keith Gasche and children, Megan of Olpe and Cody of El Dorado.
Eileen Geiger and Ward Gasche were married Sept. 4, 1946, at Sacred Heart Church in Emporia.
Anniversary: Reece
Marvin and Veta Reece of Emporia celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Sunday with a reception at their home for friends and family. Hosts were their children, Robert and Marie Reece of Council Grove and Lynn and Connie Reece Hohne of Shawnee. The Reeces have five granddaughters, Brenna Scott, Stephanie Frazier, Janae Stockwell, Erin Nichols and Jenna Hohne; and two great-granddaughters, Avery Scott and Camryn Frazier.
The Reeces were married Sept. 18, 1946, at the First Methodist Church in Topeka.
Marvin Reece was manager of Sherwin-Williams and Veta Reece worked in the Motor Vehicle Department of the Lyon County Treasurer’s Office. They retired in 1984, moved to Bella Vista, Ark., and returned to Emporia in 2000.