Gerald Marsh of Ortonville celebrated his 85th birthday on April 18 with a surprise dinner party given by his family at O’Malley’s Galley in Fenton.
Gerald was born on April 18, 1925 in Goodrich. He grew up on a farm on Sands Road and as a child, delivered milk in the morning, went to school, then delivered newspapers in the evening.
Gerald married Alice in 1948 and they have seven daughters, Sheryl, Nancy, Sally, Patty, Laurie, Barbara and Georgina, and one son, Gerald II. They have 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and another great-grandchild is due in May.
Betty Lee Owen celebrated her 85th birthday on Mother’s Day by going to church with her family and having dinner with them at her home. Her daughter, Beth, and granddaughter Claire came from New York City to mark the occasion.
Betty was born May 9, 1925 in Flint to Arthur and Mabel Pearce. She had five siblings and moved to Ortonville in 1947, where she met Stewart (Bud) Owen, a lifelong Ortonville resident. They married in 1948 and had three children, Claude Owen, Brenda Owen Heffernan, and Beth Owen Canavan. Betty has four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Bud and Betty were married for 49 years before he died in 1998. Betty has lived in the same house on Mill Street for 62 years.