Lawrence and Athalia Gross

Lawrence and Athalia Gross, 499 S. SR 13, Pierceton, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary June 16 at home with their family from Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Lawrence and the former Athalia Dill were married June 16, 1945, at the bride’s parents home in Pierceton by the Rev. Victor E. Stoner of Pierceton United Methodist Church.

Lawrence retired from the U.S. Air Force in May 1970 after 28 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel and a command pilot with more than 9,000 hours of flying time. Athalia has enjoyed being a housewife and occasionally working at an antique shop. Their life as part of the Air Force was an interesting one, as been life as civilians, thanks to the Lord’s plan for them. 

They are the parents of two children: Mary Beth (spouse Jim) Esneault, Prescott, Arizona; and James Lawrence (spouse Joyce) Gross, Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. They have four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.