Ben and Joan Carothers of Palmyra will celebrate 60 years of marriage on March 27, 2008.
Ben and Joan were married in Cadiz and lived there most of their lives. For the past 13 years they have resided in Portage County.
Among the many family members who will be joining them for a special anniversary dinner will be the Carothers' four children: Jack of Winchester, Va.; Robert (Debbie) of Streetsboro; Sharon of Moorpark, Calif.; and Christian of Hartville.
Mr. and Mrs. Carothers also have eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mr. Carothers, 80, is a professional musician who still performs regularly as the bass player of his family rock band, The Robert Jeffrey Band. He was one of the first electric bass players in Ohio and opened up for many national acts. He also enjoys fishing. Joan enjoys crafts, cooking, playing computer games, and collecting Disney memorabilia.
Ben, who stands just a bit over 5 feet tall, says he was 6 feet tall when he married Joan and doesn't know what happened.
Joan credits the success of their long marriage to "her perseverance." Ben credits the success of their marriage to "his good looks."