submitted
I think I am correct in stating that the average age for getting married in the United States is going up. People are waiting longer to marry. Although there continue to be those teenagers who choose marriage, more and more are choosing to delay that commitment.
Two local lovers did their best to move the average age at the time of marriage even higher. On Saturday, August 31st, Jan Dillon married John Kelbley. Jan is 80 years old. John is 80 years old. As we would have said in school, they busted the curve.
Family and friends checked in to The Inn at Dresden on Friday. It was great fun hearing, “My grandmas is getting married,” “I am here for my Dad’s wedding,” “I will be a flower girl at my great-grandma’s wedding tomorrow.” You could feel the joyful anticipation building. Fourteen great-grandchildren were to attend the wedding.
On Saturday morning, at St. Mary Church, Mattingly Settlement, with family and friends witnessing the event, with The Muskingum Valley Brass providing inspiring music, Father Donald E Franks officiated and Jan and John vowed to love and cherish each other. They were pronounced man and wife. Everybody in the wedding party was either a brother, sister, son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great-grandson, or great-granddaughter. Thelma Miklovic could not attend. She sent best wishes from home. Thelma is the mother of the bride. Thelma is 101 years old.
All then adjourned to The Inn at Dresden for a jubilant feast and celebration. We have enjoyed many happy marriage parties at the Inn, but none exceeded the elation of the newlyweds and the celebrants at this reception. Food and drinks, expertly prepared and served by The Warehouse Restaurant and wonderful presentation of music by D J Jeff Adams of Coshocton added to the happy celebration.
There was a special little understory for Joy and Allen, owners of The Inn at Dresden. They bought the Inn in 2014. The first wedding party at the Inn, after they purchased it, was the large and happy celebration of the marriage of Kane Tignor to Katie Cullins. Kane is one of Jan Dillon’s grandsons. Kane and Katie were at this party with their four-year-old son, the eldest of three boys the couple have added to Jan’s group of great-grandchildren.
