70 Years of Marriage – Wow!

Commonwealth Journal

May 21, 2008 09:20 am

— Fred Mize and Edna (Whitaker) Mize were introduced by a cousin back in the summer of 1937. Their first date was a double-date with friends and they went to a dance. Since Edna didn’t dance, Fred danced with the “other girl” all evening while Edna and the “other guy” look on.
Fred and Edna continued dating through the fall and winter of 1937. A typical date was spent at the movies on Fountain Square or visiting friends and relatives.
They got married at the Pulaski County Courthouse in Somerset, Ky., on May 31, 1938.
After their marriage, they lived in the Southport-Greenwood area with the exception of six months spent in Short Creek, Ky., during 1945-46.
During the early years of their marriage, Fred worked at Presto-Lite in Speedway while Edna tended their growing family.
In 1948, the couple returned to farming where the family spent eight years on a dairy farm near what is now Carl Smock Golf Course. Fred began working at Allison’s in 1961 and continued there until his retirement in 1981.
After most of the family was raised, Edna worked at Lane Bryant’s for 19 years, retiring in 1982.
Fred’s hobbies include woodworking, gardening and fishing. Edna’s hobbies include sewing, hand quilting and shopping. Together, they still can vegetables and make lots of delicious jams and jellies.
The couple has enjoyed traveling during their 27 years of retirement. They have visited Florida, Las Vegas, Nev., and went on a motorhome tour of the Western states in 2002 with their three daughters.
They attribute their long, happy marriage to very few arguments and working through problems as they arise.
Their children will host a luncheon May 31, 2008, at 12:30 p.m. at Valle Vista Country Club, 755 East Main St., Greenwood, Ind., in their honor.
Fred and Edna have eight children: Janet Chaney, Greenwood, Ind.; Larry (and Glendora) Mize, Greenwood; Gary (and Joanne) Mize, Ely, Nev.; Judy (and Carl) Hancock, Greenwood; Jim Mize, Greenwood; Steve (and Joyce) Mize, Greenwood; Phil (and Sonia) Mize, Nashville, and Jane (and Eric) Weaver, Morgantown.
The couple has 23 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Fred and Edna are members of Calvary Baptist Church in Greenwood, Ind.

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