Several events planned for Koken 50th anniversary

XYOUNGSTOWN -- The 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Koken, 1658 Everett Ave., will be celebrated at a series of events.
They will be honored at a 9 a.m. Mass Oct. 16 at St. Luke Church, where they are members. Afterward a family brunch will be held at the Canfield home of a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Andrea Koken.
Also serving as hosts for the occasion will be other family members, Joseph P. and Kathie Koken of Woodbury, Minn.; Susan and George Brandstein of Youngstown; Kevin and Jen Koken of Naperville, Ill.; and Sally Koken of Youngstown. There are 14 grandchildren in the family circle.
The Kokens attended a 50th anniversary celebration in June at St. Columba Cathedral and have planned a trip to Las Vegas as part of the observance.
Sacred Heart Church was the setting as Mr. Koken and the former Theresa V. Slaina were married Oct. 15, 1955.
Mrs. Koken was a travel counselor with Ohio Motorist AAA prior to retiring in 1995. She is an Eucharist minister, vice president of the Rosary Altar Society, a member of the kolachi and New Year's Eve committees, and has delivered Meals on Wheels and played boccie and volleyball.
Mr. Koken retired in 1993 from Beaker Funeral Home, where he was a part-time greeter, and as a driver for Gold Cross Limousine Service. He is a reader at the church and a member of Mahoning Valley Gaelic Society, the Arco Club and Holy Name Society. He served with the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1954 during the Korean War.
Mr. and Mrs. Koken are members of the Boccie League at St. Luke Church.