Harold "Sonny" and Rita Offenberger of 14745 Muskingum River Road, Lowell, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married Aug. 17, 1961, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Churchtown by Father Charles Highland.
He is the son of the late Harold and Mildred Schaad Offenberger. She is the daughter of the late Clement and Lucy Bauerbach Brooker. The couple have owned Beverly Feed and Equipment for the last 50 years. They are also active members of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Beverly.
They have nine children: Derick (Lee Ann), Ron (Sue), Marita (Joe) Stewart, Monica (Todd) Hilverding, Marsha (Clint) Anderson, Tony (Kristin), Amy (Ron) Stone, and Lucy (Roy) Klintworth. One son, Thomas, is deceased.
The couple also have 17 grandchildren: Josh (Shannon), Corey, Alex, Linsey, Chad, Kathryn, and Abagail Offenberger, Brandon and Matthew Stewart, Austin and Taylor Hilverding, Alexis Anderson, Isabella and Clara Stone, Andrew, Haley, and Logan Klintworth.
To celebrate their anniversary, the couple's family is sending them on a seven-day Alaskan cruise in September. There will be an open house Sunday, Aug. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m., at St. Bernard Catholic Church social hall. All family and friends are invited to celebrate with the couple. Cards are appreciated but gifts are to be omitted.
