Birthdays

Ailene Abbie Meyers Utz will soon be celebrating her 95th birthday. She was born on Feb. 17, 1917 to Maud Jordon and John Kemp Meyers of Dayton, Ohio.

She met her husband David William Utz while they were students at Ohio Wesleyan University. They were married for more than 50 years until his passing. Over the years they lived in Dayton; Albany, N.Y.; Chicago; and Savannah, Ga.

Abbie moved to Heritage Hill from Savannah in September after the passing of her companion of more than 10 years, Tom Carr.

Gabe Peter Ferrence, a resident at Heritage Hill Senior Community, Weatherly, celebrated his 96th birthday on Dec. 20.

Born on a farm in White Bear, Summit Hill in 1915, Gabe graduated from Nesquehoning High School in 1934. He married his wife, Rose, in 1938 and was married for 22 years until her passing in January of 1960.

He has three children, Ronald, Lansford; Jean Staloski, Lake Hauto; and Thomas, Nesquehoning. He also has four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He is the last surviving member of 10 children.

Blanche Esther (Brooks) Garrett, a resident at Heritage Hill Senior Community, Weatherly, will celebrate her 91st birthday on Nov. 26.

Born in Nesquehoning in 1920, Blanche has also resided in Jim Thorpe; Lansford; Lake Harmony; Stratford, N.J.; and Summit Hill.

After graduating from Summit Hill High School in 1938, Blanche attended tech school in Jim Thorpe and trained to be a hair dresser.

She was married to Edward M. Jones for 40 years prior to his death in 1977, and to Russell Warren Garrett for two years prior to his death in 1998.

Faith Faust, a resident of Heritage Hill, recently celebrated her 94th birthday. She was born in Plymouth, Pa. on Nov. 20, 1917.

She spent her early years at Scales Siding near White Haven and attended a one-room schoolhouse there. She later attended Ripples School and graduated from Foster High School.

After high school Faith met the man she would later marry, Robert C. Faust. They courted until "Bob" returned from World War II and were married on May 1, 1946. They have been married for 65 years.