Couples: June 15, 2009
Anniversary: Merry
Loren and Novella Merry will celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary on Saturday at a reception given by their children from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the home of their daughter, Dianne Heins. Their other children are Darrell and Leila Merry of Olpe, Roger and Janice Barrons of Manhattan, Gene and Barb Merry of Burlington and Rodger and Diane Merry of Gardner.
The Merrys have 11 grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, six stepgreat-grandchildren and two stepgreat-great-grandchildren.
The couple “request only the pleasure of your company at the reception; no gifts, please.”
Anniversary: Buckridge
Dennis and Julia Trace Buckridge, longtime residents of Neosho Rapids, will be married 40 years on Sunday. They purchased their marriage license at the courthouse in Cottonwood Falls and were married June 21, 1969, at the Emporia West Side Baptist Church, when the church was located at Sixth Avenue and Lincoln Street.
According to their anniversary information, “throughout their marriage, both have show a great passion for motorsports. From demoliton derbies to dirt track racing or just cruising around town in their little yellow roadster, their life together mirrors their hobbies — always on the go!”
They have one son, Ron Buckridge, and one grandson, Wyatt Buckridge, who “also share a love of fast cars.”
Dennis Buckridge has worked for EVCO for 37 years and Julia, at Spic ‘n Span for 39 years.
The couple plan to spend a “quiet” evening in Cottonwood Falls at the Grand Central Hotel and Grill.
Anniversary: Stair and Stair
Kenneth and Lynnette Stair of Emporia will be honored at a surprise reception at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Emporia Recreation Center in celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary. Hosts will be their daughter and son, Hannah and Riley Stair of Emporia.
The honored couple met while Lynnette was in high school. They were set up on a blind date. They were married June 16, 1984, at the First Congregational Church.
Kenneth Leon Stair was born in Kansas and grew up in El Cajon, Calif., where he raced Volkswagens and worked in his dad’s shop. After moving back to Kansas, his father opened a shop in Emporia, Foreign Car Specialties, where Ken worked until it closed. He works at Norfolk Iron & Metal.
Lynnette Donnell White was born in Emporia. She has worked at Hopkins Manufacturing for 25 years. During that time, she and her husband have raised two children and built a new house.
Cards may be sent to the couple at 384 Road 175, Emporia, KS 66801.