Pipers Mark 70th
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
"The Warsaw Union" was selling for 2 cents an issue at the newsstand - 10 cents a week by carrier.
Republican Frank McKrill was being named winner over Democrat challenger Allen E. Dougherty in the race for sheriff in the previous day's election.
And 18-year-old Ethel Bentz of South Whitley was saying "I do" to 22-year-old W. Ray Piper of Warsaw.
Seventy years later, the price of newspapers has changed, as has the holder of the office of sheriff.
But Ethel and Ray are still saying "I do." The couple will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Sunday with an open house hosted by their sons in the assembly room of the Timbercrest Home in North Manchester. The event is slated from 2 to 4 p.m.
"I never dreamed of it," Ethel Piper said in a telephone interview Monday, referring to the duration of her marriage. She quickly added, though, "I took my marriage vows real serious." That is all the advice she would give to young couples today, too: "It starts right at the beginning," she said. "You've got to make up your mind you're getting into it and stay there."
Although Ethel says she and her husband "get along pretty good," she admits she's not sure what he would say.
The couple were married by their pastor, the late A.R. Eikenberry, in the home of the bride's parents, the late Reuben and Cinderella Bentz. Ray is the son of the late Ed and Ethel Piper of Warsaw.
During the first part of their marriage, the Pipers farmed for more than 20 years, after which Ray became a construction contractor. Ethel was employed by the Murphy dime store for five years and Heckman Bindery for 10 years.
They later traveled several years and, in 1971, purchased a mobile home in Leisure Acres, Sebring, Fla. Aside from wintering in Florida for 13 years, the Pipers have lived in the North Manchester area all of their married life.
While they don't travel anymore or spend time together fishing as they used to, Ethel said both are thankful for their health. "We're in great health for our ages," said Ethel, now 88. Her husband is 92. They reside at 501 Timbercrest Home, where Ethel said she is content to stay "and let people do for us."
The couple's four sons are Max Piper of North Manchester, who is employed by Gaunt & Sons Asphalt and is president of Piper Inc.; Duane Piper of Pembroke Pines, Fla., who is a retired manager of Super X in Miami, Fla.; Paul Piper of Alger, Ohio, who is a retired plant superintendent of United Technology in Kenton, Ohio; and V. Ray Piper of near North Manchester, who is a retired FBI agent. He and his wife will also be celebrating an anniversary of note this year - the couple have been married 50 years, and will join their parents to celebrate 120 years of marriage.
Ray and Ethel Piper have 20 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
"We've got a good family," Ethel said. "They're all very caring."
Family and friends are invited to attend the open house, but the Pipers ask that no gifts be brought. [[In-content Ad]]
"The Warsaw Union" was selling for 2 cents an issue at the newsstand - 10 cents a week by carrier.
Republican Frank McKrill was being named winner over Democrat challenger Allen E. Dougherty in the race for sheriff in the previous day's election.
And 18-year-old Ethel Bentz of South Whitley was saying "I do" to 22-year-old W. Ray Piper of Warsaw.
Seventy years later, the price of newspapers has changed, as has the holder of the office of sheriff.
But Ethel and Ray are still saying "I do." The couple will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Sunday with an open house hosted by their sons in the assembly room of the Timbercrest Home in North Manchester. The event is slated from 2 to 4 p.m.
"I never dreamed of it," Ethel Piper said in a telephone interview Monday, referring to the duration of her marriage. She quickly added, though, "I took my marriage vows real serious." That is all the advice she would give to young couples today, too: "It starts right at the beginning," she said. "You've got to make up your mind you're getting into it and stay there."
Although Ethel says she and her husband "get along pretty good," she admits she's not sure what he would say.
The couple were married by their pastor, the late A.R. Eikenberry, in the home of the bride's parents, the late Reuben and Cinderella Bentz. Ray is the son of the late Ed and Ethel Piper of Warsaw.
During the first part of their marriage, the Pipers farmed for more than 20 years, after which Ray became a construction contractor. Ethel was employed by the Murphy dime store for five years and Heckman Bindery for 10 years.
They later traveled several years and, in 1971, purchased a mobile home in Leisure Acres, Sebring, Fla. Aside from wintering in Florida for 13 years, the Pipers have lived in the North Manchester area all of their married life.
While they don't travel anymore or spend time together fishing as they used to, Ethel said both are thankful for their health. "We're in great health for our ages," said Ethel, now 88. Her husband is 92. They reside at 501 Timbercrest Home, where Ethel said she is content to stay "and let people do for us."
The couple's four sons are Max Piper of North Manchester, who is employed by Gaunt & Sons Asphalt and is president of Piper Inc.; Duane Piper of Pembroke Pines, Fla., who is a retired manager of Super X in Miami, Fla.; Paul Piper of Alger, Ohio, who is a retired plant superintendent of United Technology in Kenton, Ohio; and V. Ray Piper of near North Manchester, who is a retired FBI agent. He and his wife will also be celebrating an anniversary of note this year - the couple have been married 50 years, and will join their parents to celebrate 120 years of marriage.
Ray and Ethel Piper have 20 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
"We've got a good family," Ethel said. "They're all very caring."
Family and friends are invited to attend the open house, but the Pipers ask that no gifts be brought. [[In-content Ad]]