The Kocherts celebrating 50th with family trip and surprise event

XCANFIELD -- Mr. and Mrs. Milton R. Kochert, 290 Montridge Drive, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary during on two occasions.
The couple were honored at a get-together June 7-10 at The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., by Mrs. Kochert's sister and brother-in-law, Isabelle and Richard Davis of Vienna, Va., and her niece and husband, Leslie and Paul Johnson of Fairfax, Va.
The Kocherts will be guests of honor in August at a "surprise location" with their daughter and son-in-law, Allison and Chris Long of Indianapolis, and son Mark Kochert of Columbus, and four granddaughters.
The former Nancy Montgomery Wellendorf and Mr. Kochert exchanged marriage vows June 12, 1954, at Canfield Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Kochert earned a teaching degree at Muskingum College, New Concord, and was an elementary school teacher in Canfield School System from 1954-86.
She was recognized by the Canfield Board of Education and received special honors from the National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars. Mrs. Kochert has been involved in school, community and church organizations, including Canfield Community Chest, Canfield Republican Women's Club and Canfield Presbyterian Church Bicentennial Celebration.
Mr. Kochert graduated from Youngstown State University with a bachelor's degree in education and from Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pa., with a master's in education. He taught at Austintown Local Schools and retired in 1986 from Poland Local Schools as a teacher and social studies chairman.
Mr. Kochert, a Valley Forge Medal honoree, has been involved in local, state and national social studies organizations. He also was honored by Poland schools for academic excellence as an outstanding educator.
He has been involved in school, community and church organizations, including Canfield Community Club, American Legion Post 177 and Canfield Presbyterian Bicentennial Celebration. He is a 50-year member of Argus Masonic Lodge 545, Canfield.
Mr. Kochert also is a retired captain in the U.S. Naval Reserves, having served on active duty as main propulsion officer on the USS Coolbaugh DE 217 and as instructor and coach at the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School, Bainbridge, Md.