Family holds double 50th anniversary celebration May 15 at Howland resort

XCANFIELD-- Martin Luther Lutheran Church was the setting on May 8, 1954, as Joy V. Rice became the bride of William P. Thomas, and her sister, Dona R. Rice, and Frederick H. Schuller were united in marriage during a double wedding ceremony.
The 50th anniversary of that event was celebrated May 15 during a family gathering held at the Avalon Inn and Resort in Howland in honor of the two couples who live in Canfield.
Mrs. Thomas attended Wittenberg University. She is a retired Branch Clerk with Canfield Library.
Mr. Thomas attended USC and graduated from Youngstown State University with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II and was employed 18 years with Sinclair Oil Co. He retired from Jalco Truck Products of Youngstown.
During the early years of her marriage, Mrs. Schuller was employed as a dental hygienist with Dr. Robert G. Morrison.
Mr. Schuller is retired after 30 years of service with Fithian Contracting Co. He was the owner/ operator of Rogers Dog Food Co. and retired as part-owner and president of Ohio Pet Foods. He is a member of Ellsworth Coon Hunters Club where his wife helps him prepare monthly dinners for the 60 members.
For 35 years Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Schuller were the buyers, sellers and collectors at Country Antiques where they operated Sweet Meadow Antiques.
Both couples are members of Zion Lutheran Church, Youngstown.
Hosts for the celebration were the Schuller's children and their spouses, Gretchen and John Fernstrom of Youngstown, Todd and Debbie Schuller of Boardman, and Mark and Linda Schuller of North Canton, and their eight grandchildren; and the Thomas' children and their spouses, Melanie and Sal Sorice, and Heidi Thomas, all of Canfield, and their three grandsons. Another daughter of the Thomases, Jodi Masters is deceased.