Mass celebrated for anniversary couples

CANTON — Bishop George V. Murry celebrated a special Mass on Sunday at St. John the Baptist Church to mark the wedding anniversaries of 92 couples in the Diocese of Youngstown who were honored for a total of 4,494 years of wedded life ranging from 25 to 73 years.

This event was sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Pro-Life, Marriage and Family Ministry. A reception, hosted by St. John the Baptist Parish, took place in the school hall for the honored couples and their families.

Harold and Mildred Langanke, members of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Canton, are the longest-married couple with 73 years of marriage.

Area couples recognized were: Thomas and Gloria Heron, 50 years, St. George Church in Lisbon in Columbiana County; Eldon and Helen Streff, 60 years, and Howard and Ann Coy, 59 years, all of St. Paul Church in Salem; Robert and Michaleen Smallwood, 40 years, and Gerald and Joyce Laska, 25 years, St. Michael Church in Canfield, all in Mahoning County; and Lamont and Mary Boyer, 60 years, St. Mary Church in Warren, Trumbull County. Other counties in the diocese are Ashtabula, Portage and Stark.

A previous wedding anniversary celebration took place June 22 at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown.