Mr. and Mrs. James E. Koch Jr. of Palmerton celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary recently.

They were married Nov. 28, 1940 on Thanksgiving Day.Mrs. Koch is the former Ruth Straup, daughter of Rose and Thomas Straup of Parryville.Mr. Koch is the son of Gertrude and James Koch from Walcksville. He worked for the Pyrofax Gas Company in Palmerton for over 30 years before retiring.Celebrating this special day with their parents were Kathryn and her husband Keith Schnell of Lehighton; Ruthann and her husband Harry Moore of Auburn, N.J.; Paul and his wife Linda of Palmerton; and James III and his wife Debbie of Lehighton.A son, Frederick, passed away in September.Beside the five children, the Kochs have 18 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.They are awaiting the arrival of their first great-great-grandchild in March 2010.