Dean and Jane Cernek of Gratiot will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on October 3, 2013. Dean Cernek married the former Jane Kissinger on October 3, 1953 in Chesterton, Ind. The couple first met at Liberty Bible Church when they were youth group members in high school and later became high school sweethearts.
The couple farmed in northwest Indiana for a time after Dean’s military service and in 1972 they bought the home farm near Gratiot.

The couple has eight children: Steve and Shelia Cernek of Gratiot, Dean and Kristine Cernek of Colorado Springs, Colo., Peter and Debra Cernek of Gratiot, Kevin and Cindy Cernek of Gratiot, John and Gloria Cernek of Elton, La., Scott and Cathy Cernek of Clinton, Ben Cernek of Benton, and Scott and Robyn Wetzel of Billings, Mont.  

Today Dean and Jane have thirty grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren and are still very involved in farming, the ministry of the Gratiot Evangelical Free Church and numerous other faith and family activities.

The couple will celebrate their anniversary with family and friends at an open house on Friday, Sept. 20 at the Warren Community Center beginning at 7:30 p.m.