Karlens honored at reception on 50th anniversary

• SALEM — The 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Harry D. Karlen of Salem was celebrated during an afternoon reception on June 28 at Bunker Hill United Methodist Church in Beloit, where they are members and where they were married June 15, 1958.

The couple renewed their vows during a ceremony officiated by the church pastor, Rev. Jerrie Brion, and by the Rev. Ralph Fotia, who officiated at their wedding.

Also in attendance were members of their original bridal party, the groom’s brother and best man, Denis Karlen, and the bride’s sister and maid of honor, Nora Lee (Goehring) Klase.

Hosts for the occasion were their children and their families, Sherry and Chuck Stanley of Bell, Fla., the Rev. Henry and Darlene Woodruff of Chardon, Laurie and Sam Ronshak of Lisbon, and Gene Karlen and his partner, Phillip Aiello, of Cleveland Heights.

Their grandchildren, Chris and Jacob Stanley of Bell and Karli and Jenna Ronshak of Lisbon, participated, and Pat Coy and Mary Lou Weingart assisted. Another grandchild, Todd Stanley, is deceased.

Mr. Karlen served two years with the U.S. Army at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. He retired in 1995 after 40 years with Goshen Township Road Department and is a part-time driver for Myers Equipment in Canfield. He is a member of the church choir and board of trustees.

Mrs. Karlen, the former Naomi Ruth Goehring, was a bank bookkeeper for 10 years until becoming a stay-at-home mother. She is a homemaker and is self-employed with Lawn Care. She is a member of the church choir and United Methodist Women and has been the financial secretary for 24 years. She also has cooked and served meals for the Goshen Center Ruritan Club for the past 13 years.