October 24 – Harold and Catherine Shively celebrate their 75th year of marriage and it seems like they are still very much in love.
Catherine and Harold Shively were married on Oct. 24, 1949, in Milmont, Pennsylvania, four days after her 16th birthday, he said. Harold said his grandfather, a pastor for 60 years, married the couple.
Catherine was staying with relatives 80 miles from her home when she first met Harold. She whistled at him and then let the air out of her bicycle tires so she had an excuse to visit him at the gas station where he worked.
“We both fell in love,” he said.
Neither admitted to having had a falling out in their 75 years together. He said there were some disagreements here and there, but nothing serious.
The couple left for Biloxi, Mississippi, where he would be stationed with the U.S. Air Force. She lived in Mississippi and again in Pennsylvania until he ended his time in the service.
The couple came to Ohio in 1957 and moved to Geneva in 1979. They have lived in the area ever since.
The Shivelys had six children, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, said daughter Kathy Bean of Saybrook.
She said her father worked as an inspector for the Defense Department, and her mother was a stay-at-home mom.
He said he covered three counties, and the family lived in trailer parks until they could afford other accommodations.
Harold is 94 and Catherine 91.
“We had a lot of fun,” said Catherine with a big smile. The couple spontaneously shared a kiss and held hands during a recent interview.
Harold said they thank God that their children were healthy growing up, even though one of their sons died of sleep apnea at age 49.
