Pastor Dave: Greetings Ron and Joyce, from our online community at www.cantoneastsidenaz.org

Ron and Joyce: We are so glad the church has picked us and is so nice to us. Eastside is a friendly church, we feel at home there.

Pastor Dave: Alright, let’s start with something easy, where were you each born and raised. Ron, we will start with you.

Ron: I was born in Banner, born at home. A doctor by the name of Dr. Vit came in and delivered me. A lot of people were born out in the country back then. I was born in 1935, I had 3 brothers, and I was the youngest of the family.

Joyce: I was born at Graham Hospital in 1939. I had one sister and I was the youngest of the family.

PD: Where did you go to school growing up?

Ron: Banner grade school up to 8^th grade. There were 2 grocery stores and a gas station.

Joyce: I went to Canton schools for grade school, jr. high, and high school. I remember the square and all the stores up there. Cardosies ice cream is one of the places I remember.

PD: What was your first job?

Ron: I thought I was going to be a farmer, but when I was old enough to start a farm, it was too expensive. So, International Harvester was hiring so I came in and got a job there in March 1955. I worked there from 1955 to 1985. When they closed here in Canton, I had 27 years service in Canton and had the opportunity to transfer to Springfield, OH. I got my final 3 years of 30 years, then came back to Canton and retired. After I retired, a guy by the name of Bill Ripper called me and needed some part time help in farming. So, I did go out and work for him for about 3 years.

Joyce: I was a babysitter at the age of 12. My aunt was a school teacher and my grandma was blind. When my aunt was gone to classes, I was to go and stay with my grandma Post and take care of her.

PD: When did you guys meet?

Joyce: We met in 1954 through some friends. They introduced us to each other and we hit it off right from the beginning.

Ron: We got married on July 30^th, 1955 at the First Baptist Church in Canton. We had dated for about a year. Right after we got married, I started to say something, she pointed towards the door and said go over there and shut up. We have got along great ever since then.

PD: Ron, how did you propose?

Ron: It was at Joyce’s house, I just asked her “why don’t we get married”?

PD: So Ron says why don’t we get married, what was your response Joyce?

Joyce: I said “I guess”, so he went up to Rickerts Jewelry Store and got a ring.

PD: When did you first come into a relationship with Jesus Christ?

Ron: I have been a believer since I was a small boy, at the age of at least 7 or 8. I used to go to the little church in Banner. This minister put on a drive to invite friends, so I invited a bunch of kids to come. 12-15 of them came in, so I was the one who invited the most people that showed up. I won a new Bible. I still have it to this day.

Joyce: I have always gone to Sunday School and church. When I was around 12 I started to realize the importance of a personal relationship. I started out at the Methodist Church in Bryant when I was little, then to the Church of the Brethren, and then to First Baptist Church down the road.

PD: What is your favorite restaurant?

Ron: For something that is close, it is Monical’s Pizza.

Joyce: Me too!!

PD: I heard a rumor that Joyce tried to do some remodeling one day

Joyce: My friend and I decided we were going to wallpaper. We had good intentions, but part of the plaster started falling. So, I took off a little bit more and we ran into a hole. I told her it would be nice if I had this wall knocked out, so I went and got the sludge hammer to help the plaster come down. Next thing I knew, half the wall was down, but I ran into the chimney and didn’t know what to do. It was almost time for Ron to come home, so my friend high tailed out of here.

PD: So then what did you do Joyce?

Joyce: So, I called my sister to see if she would come over, but after telling her what happened, she wouldn’t come over. Then Ron came home and was a little surprised to see the wall missing.

Ron: I was surprised; I said “what have you guys been doing”?

Joyce: If the church ever needs some walls taken down, I can do it!

PD: In July, you have been married for 53 years, what are some highlights?

Ron: Our children being born.

Joyce: We had two. They are pretty well behaved, our son was a little ornery, but they were pretty good. Our daughter Debbie is the oldest, and our son Doug was born in 64.

Joyce: Five years after we were married, we went to Branson, MO for our honeymoon. We had a wonderful time.

PD: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Joyce: We have 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren that we are proud of and love dearly. We have enjoyed you and Amber, Amber a little more though. (Hahaha, both laughing)

PD: Thank you both so much for allowing me to come here today.

"For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up." - Ecclesiastes 4:10