Chuck and Mary Meade of Salem were treated to a surprise 50th anniversary party given by their three children, son-in-law and five grandchildren – daughter Erin Mango, son Adam Meade, daughter Kimberly Johnson, son-in-law Brandon Mango; grandsons Trey Mangon, Trenton Mango and Eli Johnson; granddaughters Haley Mead and Taylor Johnson; along with friend Laney Pugliano, Ally Culp and Logan McConnell. Over 110 friends and family members attended to wish them congratulations and enjoyed celebrating their accomplishment. Their pastor, John Ryser of Damascus Friends Church, performed the renewing of their vows.

Chuck and Mary attended East Palestine High School where Chuck graduated in 1968 and Mary in 1970. They met in the high school library in 1967 and dated from that time on. After Chuck graduated, he served in the United States Navy for three years active duty; and after Mary graduated, she attended nurse’s training in Canton at Aultman Hospital and Kent State University. After the Navy, Chuck worked in Youngstown for Youngstown Sheet and Tube for 16 years until the mills were shut down. After that moment in his life and with the support of Mary and the kids, he attended Kent State University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. He also received a Master’s of Education from the University of Akron. They had tossed around the idea of moving to Columbus, Ohio and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, but neither move ever felt right. To this day, they are thankful that God led them to stay here. The kids were able to grow up around family and friends, especially their grandparents.

Family has always been important to both Chuck and Mary, especially Chuck, having been adopted at the young age of 6. They had few problems with the lack of work on Chuck’s part, but Mary kept the family going by working in nursing at Salem Hospital for a number of years and then Akron General Hospital for several years. They will tell anyone that God, love for each other, and family, along with laughter mixed in helped them to succeed in life and marriage.

Chuck retired in 2018 after teaching in Cleveland for over 20 years where he really enjoyed that part of his life. Mary is still working at Aultman Alliance Community Hospital. She says when the day comes that she doesn’t enjoy her job as director of surgery is when she will retire, but she still enjoys it and the people she works with. Chuck states that he finds it hard not to work, so at the present time he substitutes at United Local and West Branch schools. He really enjoys being around the kids and both schools make it easy to go to work. The kids and administrators at both schools are wonderful. He will do that until his body says stop.

The couple belongs to and attends Damascus Friends Church in Damascus.