A lifelong community couple celebrates their 66th wedding anniversary today.
Fred and Vivian Johns of Kittanning got married in their North Buffalo Township home on January 27, 1949.
The couple went to school together at Kittanning Senior High, even though they graduated in different classes.
According to daughter Janine Schrecengost, the couple met at the former- Cicero’s Roller Rink of Kittanning near the Armstrong County Courthouse.
Fred retired from Eljier in Ford City, and Vivian from Big River Manufacturing Company in Rayburn Township.
The couple had five children - Bonnie (of Central Pennsylvania), Marty (of Kittanning), Patty Rush, Leslie and Schrecengost (who works locally at Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market in Kittanning), have nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren (while four live locally, the rest are based throughout several states: including in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Ohio).
“Respect, dignity: we were brought up with very good family morals,” Schrecengost said.
Local residents might also remember Fred from the Armstrong Conservation League, different sportsman’s clubs, the Rock and Gem Club or as a Masonic Temple Mason.
As a side hobby, Fred was a gemologist and cut and polished rocks and also sold jewelry (as well as giving jewelry to family members on special occasions). He also sold at a Great Dayton Fair booth.
Vivian enjoyed bowling, crocheting and sewing.
To this day, both have learned to play games on the computer and online and e-mail family and friends
Schrecengost said immediate family members will celebrate this evening by going out to dinner. Their 50th anniversary party was at Union Baptist Church in Kittanning.