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Everything Broad Ripple HomearrowRandom Ripplings Homearrow2021 06 24arrowPublic Notice

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Indianapolis Couple to Celebrate 70th Wedding Anniversary
posted: Jun. 24, 2021

Emily and Louis Chenette, members of North United Methodist Church, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary this Saturday, June 26.
The Chenettes were married June 26, 1951 at Grace Evangelical United Methodist Church on the south side of Chicago, which is Emily's family's home church.
"The wedding was on a Tuesday because Louis's mother could not come on a weekend," Emily related. "She also said the marriage would never last because we were too young, both of us were in college, and we had no money, although I took a leave from college and had a job as a secretary for an insurance company."
Education has played a key role in both of their lives.
"We met at Wheaton [Ill.] College as freshmen," Emily said. "Louis was a music major, and he sold Fuller brushes, directed a church orchestra, and later a choir during his college years.
"I went back to college and got a degree in Spanish and English education after we had five children. I also earned a master's degree at Butler University when we moved to Indianapolis, and spent a few years teaching."
Louis was a high school band director for five years while earning his master's degree, and later a PhD at Ohio State in music theory. During the years he was working on his doctorate he was a college band director, and then moved into administration and even became the president of Findlay College in Ohio.
The couple moved to Indianapolis in 1972 when Louis took the position of dean of the Jordan College of Music at Butler University. "He has a first class radio/TV engineer's license, so Butler's radio, music, theater and dance programs were a good fit," Emily said.
They have attended North UMC since about 1973 or 1974, she added.
Education runs deep in the family's genes.
"We have five children," Emily explained. "They have three PhDs, one is a medical doctor, and one is a Spanish teacher with a master's degree.
"We are blessed with 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren," she added. "They live all over the country from New York to California, and one granddaughter is in England.
"Our oldest great-granddaughter just finished her freshman year at Macalaster College. The youngest great-grand is 2 years old and lives with two sisters in Terre Haute, where both parents are professors at Rose Hulman. There are other children and grandchildren who are college professors with PhDs too."
What is their secret to a long marriage?
"I don't know that we have any secrets, but we are committed to each other, share and like many of the same things, talk things over, and never go to bed angry," Emily said, and then offered one more tip: "Find a good church home with good preaching and good music!"
The couple plans to attend North UMC's 11 a.m. worship service this Sunday, where fellow members will offer their congratulations after the service. The church's 11 a.m. service is also livestreamed each Sunday on NorthChurchIndy.com.
About North United Methodist Church
North United Methodist Church is an open, inclusive, and welcoming church. We affirm that through God's redeeming love, all are one in Christ. YOU are welcome at North Church. For more information, please see NorthChurchIndy.com.
North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208


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