Saturday, May 29, 2004
XSTRUTHERS -- Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Flora of Struthers celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary May 15 by renewing their marriage vows during a Mass at St. Nicholas Church where they received a special blessing. A dinner party followed at the Holiday Inn, Boardman.
Hosts for the event were the honorees' children and their spouses, Robert J. and Ilene Flora of Houston, Joseph W. and Helen Flora of Struthers, and Daniel J. Flora of Los Angeles. Completing the family circle are four grandchildren.
Mr. Flora and the former Eileen Higgins were married May 15, 1954, at the church where they remain members. Among the relatives and friends attending the festivities were six of their original wedding attendants.
The couple are members of the Altar and Rosary Society, Hope Cancer Group, and Lowellville Senior Citizens, and are volunteers at St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen.
Mr. Flora served with the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956. He retired in 1978 from LTV Steel, and afterward worked in maintenance for 10 years at St. Nicholas Church. A member of Lowellville Rod and Club, he also belongs to American Legion Post 247.
Mrs. Flora worked more than 25 years for Clemente and Wagner Co., LPA., prior to retiring in 1996. She is a member of Youngstown Diocese Catholic Ladies of Charity, Struthers Friends of the Library, Lowellville Ladies Boccie League, and Mahoning Valley Cribbage Club, and is a home Eucharistic minister and former Eucharistic minister and volunteer with St. Elizabeth Hospital Pastoral Care.