Hightowers mark golden jubilee with family

XYOUNGSTOWN -- Mr. and Mrs. John J. Hightower Sr. of South Lilburne Drive were honored Nov. 11 at a family dinner at The Gatsby Dining Room in Chester, W.Va., in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.
Joining the couple for the observance were their daughters and their families, Darlene Hightower of Youngstown, Cheryl and Gary Wilson of Columbus and Debra Hightower and Curtis Richardson of Austintown, along with their five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A son, John Hightower Jr., is deceased.
The couple then stayed overnight at the Grande Hotel in Chester, and another family dinner further marked the occasion on Nov. 12 at their home.
Mr. Hightower and the former Sylvia I. Traylor were married Nov. 10, 1956.
He has been employed for over 40 years at General Motors Corp. in Lordstown, where he is a skilled trade/millwright. He operated a body and paint shop for many years and sponsored women's bowling as well as youth football, baseball and bowling. He is a member of Rising Sun Lodge 90.
Mrs. Hightower is a homemaker and worked for many years as a nurse's aide.
The couple belong to Phillips Chapel C.M.E. Church, where Mr. Hightower was treasurer when the church mortgage was burned and also served as trustee and steward, and his wife has served on the usher board.