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Letter to the editor

Letters sparked 70 years of love

By Times Staff
Published August 8, 2007

Howard and Maxine Webber, of Clearwater, met in San Antonio, Texas, quite by accident.

The year was 1936. Mrs. Webber, originally from Ravenna, Mich., was in San Antonio attending a Catholic college on a one-year scholarship and a young Mr. Webber, of New Jersey, was touring the country with his parents.

With a travel trailer in tow, Mr. Webber's family stopped for camping supplies at a small general store run by Mrs. Webber's parents, and that's where the two crossed paths. Over the next week, they took a shine to each other, struck up a rapport and promised to write to each other. Mr. Webber and his family traveled on, but a romance blossomed through their letters and it was only a year later, on June 21, 1937, that they were married in South Bend, Ind.

The Webbers celebrated seven decades together by dining out at Bob Heilman's Beachcomber Restaurant in Clearwater Beach, with their daughter and son-in-law.

Mrs. Webber described marriage as being like the chapters of a book. "There've been good times and bad times," she said. Then her voice softened.

"After 70 years of marriage, we're closer than ever. He's the sweetest man who ever lived."

During World War II, Mr. Webber was a Merchant Marine aboard a Liberty ship that transported supplies to France, and Mrs. Webber joined the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve.

After the war, the couple built and operated a motel near Grand Rapids, Mich., where they settled in and raised two children. At this time, Mr. Webber also worked for Chicago Bridge & Iron Co., and built water towers in various parts of the country. When their daughter started college, the Webbers sold their motel and came to Clearwater in 1967 after living briefly in Lansing, Mich.

Mr. Webber owned a roof washing business until his retirement, and for several years played rhythm guitar at the American Legion post in Madeira Beach. He enjoys latchhooking as a hobby.

Mrs. Webber was one of the original founders of the Pocahontas Women's Golf League, Largo. She is also active in several bridge clubs and is a member of the Red Hat Society.

The couple attend St. Paul United Methodist Church, Largo.

Mr. And Mrs. Webber love to play bingo twice a week and visit the Bonsai Holistic Spa & Health Care, Largo, daily for a walk in the pool. They've recently gone "modern," and are now the owners of a cell phone.

"I think I've used it once," Mrs. Webber chuckled. "It's really just for emergencies."

The Webbers have two children, a daughter, Caryl Mack, a Clearwater resident since 2003 and a teacher in the Pinellas County school system; and a son, the late Jeffrey Webber, a University of Florida graduate and former radio disc jockey in Stuart, who died in 1980 as a result of an automobile accident. They have three grandchildren, Paul, of Indiana; and two granddaughters, Cynthia, of Largo, and Jessica, of Stuart. There are five great-grandchildren.

Pete and Mel Murphy journey together still

Loren "Pete" and Melachrine "Mel" Murphy of Dunedin celebrated 60 years of marriage on June 9 with family and friends, some from out of state.

The couple married June 7, 1947, in West Milton, Ohio, and came here in 1971 from Dayton, Ohio.

Mr. Murphy spent three years in the Army, worked 25 years with National Cash Register Co., Dayton, and 20 years as a sports supervisor for the City of Clearwater.

Mrs. Murphy was a secretary and PBX operator for Maxxon Construction, Dayton. Locally, she was a secretary for a construction firm in Dunedin.

The Murphys love to travel and have toured much of North America, as well as countries in Europe and Asia.

Mr. Murphy is a member of American Legion Post 7, Clearwater, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2550, Dunedin, 3-Score Softball League and Kids and Kubs Senior Softball League. He also plays National Senior Softball Championship Games. Mrs. Murphy was past president of the Clearwater China Painters.

The couple are members of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Clearwater.

They have three children, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Lindsey Lawton gets her doctorate

Lindsey J. Lawton of Palm Harbor received her doctorate in pharmacy in May from the University of Florida, Gainesville.

The 25-year-old is the daughter of David and Jayne Lawton of Palm Harbor, and is a 2000 graduate of Palm Harbor University High School.

She will be employed by Walgreens.

Sarah Wisotsky wins a $5,000 scholarship

Sarah Wisotsky, an 18-year-old senior at Tarpon Springs High School, has been selected as one of the 35 winners nationwide of a $5,000 college scholarship from the MassMutual Life Insurance Co. Foundation through its association with the United States Tennis Association.

The Palm Harbor resident was chosen for her commitment to academic success, her local community and the game of tennis.

A pianist, diver, drummer and six-year USTA Junior Team tennis player, she ranks in the top 10 percent of her class with excellent grades and leadership skills.

Wisotsky received the 2003 Team Tennis Sportsmanship Award along with the Tarpon Springs High School Honor Student Athlete Award.

Sarah is the daughter of David and Andrea Wisotsky of Palm Harbor.

She plans to pursue a career in astronomy.

[Last modified August 7, 2007, 22:31:07]