Charles & Mary Osina observe 70th anniversary

MR. AND MRS. CHARLES OSINA THE FORMER MARY MERTA

Charles and Mary Osina of El Campo celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at El Campo Civic Center Duson Room from noon-4 p.m., Sunday, July 20.

The special occasion was hosted by their sons and their families.

Their original wedding date was July 19, 1938. Mary Merta, daughter of Peter and Mary Merta of Taiton, and Charles Osina, son of Charles and Cecilia Osina of El Campo, were married at St. John's Catholic Church in Taiton. They made their first home in El Campo. They moved to Houston before returning back to El Campo. They have lived on Old Blue Creek Road since 1948.

Charles was employed by Wharton County Electric Coop in 1940. In 1942, he went to work for Brown Ship Yard in Houston. He went back to work for WCEC in 1945 until he retired in 1983.

Mary worked in the Louise Hutchins Elementary School cafeteria for 26 years and retired in 1993.

The couple's children and their spouses are Gene and Jo Osina of Houston; David and Lynn Osina of Clear Lake, Charles and Patty Osina of Houston, Greg and Annette Osina of Richmond and Jeff and Kelly Jo Osina of Louise.

They have 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

For the reception, kolaches and cheese rolls were available for guests prior to lunch. Mary and Charles also enjoyed visiting with friends and family members prior to a catered lunch.

Decorations featured pink carnations in an ivy bowl on each of the tables.

An arrangement of pink carnations in a crystal vase acented the cake and punch table and the registation table. Pink was the chosen color since Mary used it in her wedding 70 years ago.

An Italian cream cake and fruit punch was served for dessert by their granddaughters: Jenny Wilson, Nicki Osina, Tyla Osina and Stacy Osina. Greatgrandson, Hunter Osina, and great-granddaughters, Baylee Osina and Jaycee Osina, passed out thank-you gifts made of chocolate Hershey's Hugs and Kisses to all the guests. Guests were able to view a picture memory table of the couple through their 70 years of marriage.

Among those attending were Mary's sisters, Bettie Konvicka of El Campo and Stella Stewart of Pasadena; sister-in-law, Annie Tamez of Louise; and brother, Pete Merta of El Campo. Charles' sister, Marcella Perkins of Pasadena and sister-in-law, Gladys Osina of El Campo, were also in attendance.