Odgers Celebrate 50th

The invitations read: "Shhh-It's A Surprise". And, what a pleasant surprise for Wayne and Pat Odgers as their children Brian (Patty), Melanie, and Tracey (Shelley) honored them with their 50th wedding anniversary celebration on Jan. 29, 2005. The couple were married on January 30, 1955 in Bonne Terre at the Centenary Methodist Church.

As the honorees entered the Masonic Hall in Desloge, they were greeted by a large gathering of family, friends, classmates, co-workers, and "Elvis" singing Love Me Tender. The hall was beautifully decorated in gold and red. A collage of photos were on display on the entrance table and copies of their wedding picture adorned the pillars while twinkle lights decorated the walls.

Brian's minister, Greg McCord, had been requested to officiate at the renewal of their wedding vows, another surprise for the couple.

The delicious buffet dinner was catered by Melanie's friend, Gloria Belvin and her daughter Patty and Charles Simmons. Pat's sister-in-law, Sue Weber, baked and decorated the beautiful cakes, one a 3-tier with gold and red decorations and a sheet cake with the couples wedding photo projected on the top. Charles also filmed a video of the evening while Kevin Pearce and Danielle Steele took pictures.

After dinner, Brian, Melanie and Tracey gave great testimonials, some humorous, some sad. Melanie read a letter from friends living in Florida, who could not attend. Tracey narrated a CD "Through the Years" made by a friend, while grandson Amos Petrie showed the disc on the TV.

Pat's B.T.H.S. 1953 classmates (eleven in attendance), came from Florida, Indiana, Georgia, Cuba (MO), St. Louis, and the local area, including her high school teacher/class sponsor, Lou Thuet and his wife Shirley of Chesterfield. Also present were four of six bridesmaids: Kathryn Freeman Gower, Barbara Gillam Ringer, Cora Carrow Carls, Kay Edmonds Lofgren. The other two, LaVerne Weber Pearce and Helen Odgers Long, sisters of the couple are now deceased. Two groomsmen also in attendance were Tooter Gower and Jim Gremminger, along with one usher, Pat's brother, Harold Lynn Weber.

Wayne and Pat would like to thank everyone who attended, those who helped decorate, sent cards, phone calls, or helped in any way. A special thanks to our children for the wonderful surprise, and a night we'll never forget!

[Daily Journal/May 5, 2005]