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Couples celebrate decades together

By BETSY BOLGER- PAULET
Published September 16, 2006

Dorothy and William Wagner of Palm Harbor celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a party for friends and family at the home of a daughter.

The event included a surprise visit of a brother and his wife from Indiana. The Wagners were married Aug. 18, 1946, in Indiana.

They came to Sarasota in 1973 from Indiana and moved here in 1984.

Mr. Wagner is a Bronze Star veteran of World War II and an ordained minister. He served 12 years as superintendent over 90 churches in Indiana and the couple worked together as missionaries in Guatemala.

They have three daughters, 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

They are members of Calvary Baptist Church of Clearwater and are active in the Upper Room Sunday School. They are active in Highland Lakes programs, including the Breakfast Club.

The Wagners traveled around the world in 1973 visiting 20 countries and preaching in missions. Their song is Always.

* * *

Carole Pappas and William "Bill" Martin of Dunedin recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and are planning another celebration with a trip to Williamsburg, Va., and Washington, D.C., in the fall. Mr. Martin is a native of Wisconsin and Mrs. Martin came from Michigan. They moved to Dunedin shortly after they were wed Aug. 26, 1956, in Wayne, Mich.

Mr. Martin served four years in the Navy during the Korean War and retired in 1988 after 32 years with Eastern Airlines. Mrs. Martin retired in 1999 from a job with the state of Florida.

They have a daughter, Catherine Elizabeth Nylaund, a son, Robert William Martin, and five grandchildren, all of whom live in Florida.

* * *

Gloria and Roy Haugseth of Clearwater celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a quiet family dinner. They were married Aug. 30, 1946, in their native Minneapolis.

The Haugseths came here in 1973 from Warren, Ohio. They owned and operated Jet Age Fuel in Largo with their son, Bill.

Their other children include three sons, Michael, David and Paul, a daughter, Rhea, and six grandchildren.

Mr. Haugseth was honored on July 5 by the Largo Police Department for coming to the aid of an officer in subduing a suspect.

They are members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of Largo and the board of the Isle of Sand Key Condominium Association.

* * *

Ellen and Ernest "Ernie" Stoneley of Dunedin celebrated their golden 50th wedding anniversary with friends and family with a dinner party and dancing at the Dunedin Country Club. They also are planning a 16-day cruise, including a visit to New Zealand and Australia.

Mrs. Stoneley came to this area in 1954 from Detroit, and Mr. Stoneley came here in 1940 from Wildwood, N.J. They were wed on Aug. 18, 1956, in St. Petersburg.

He was a member of the original team that helped to bring Walt Disney World to Florida and while serving in the Air Force was a member of the "forward Assembly Nuclear Weapons Team" responsible for training worldwide.

He is a professional photographer and worked first with Phil Graham Photography until 1958, when he was hired as a photographer for Florida Power. He was the company's manager of publications for many years and retired as senior energy coordinator after 33 years with the company.

She is a homemaker and was a volunteer for 10 years at Mease Dunedin Hospital, Dunedin.

The Stoneleys have four children and four grandchildren.

Mr. Stoneley is a member of the board at Dunedin Country Club and served on the Dunedin Blue Jays Advisory Committee and the city of Dunedin Public Relations Committee.

They are members of Palm Harbor United Methodist Church. They enjoy golfing at least four days a week and traveling.

* * *

Helen and Edward Almberg of Palm Harbor recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their entire family, four daughters, two sons and seven grandchildren, at Bon Appetit in Dunedin.

The Almbergs were married on Aug. 13, 1946, in New York and came here in 1992 from Scotch Plains, N.J.

He worked 41 years and retired as chief engineer for United States Lines, while she kept herself busy raising their large family.

For information or an anniversary form, call (727) 445-4109. To submit an item, write to Betsy Bolger-Paulet, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756, Fax to (727) 441-4119, or e-mail paulet@sptimes.com.

[Last modified September 16, 2006, 06:20:20]