Published Friday, September 6, 2002
HERMITAGE
Herald Staff Writer
Henry and Margaret Knittel were only 21 years old when they got married on Aug. 21, 1929.
Now 94 and residents of Whispering Oaks, Hermitage, the Knittels just celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary, marking them as the longest married couple at the senior citizen apartment complex.
Knittel said he and his wife met 76 years ago in church. The Youngstown natives moved to New Castle in 1931, where they lived until Whispering Oaks opened last year. A picture of their New Castle house hangs on the wall of their living room.
The couple had no plans for a honeymoon. After their 7:30 p.m. wedding they just drove until they came to a hotel in New Castle.
"That's how we landed here," Mrs. Knittel said.
They looked so young the minister who performed the ceremony had to write them a letter so they could check into a hotel together, which Mrs. Knittel said was a common practice in those days.
"There was love then," Mrs. Knittel said. "That was the main thing."
Knittel worked for 46 years as a general purchasing agent with Penn Power, and also played the organ at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle for 26 years. He still plays the piano for Whispering Oaks residents.
Mrs. Knittel worked at Strauss's department store in Youngstown until their daughter, Dorothy, was born in 1932. Dorothy Cornell lives in Sharpsville with her husband and comes to visit them often.
"She's been a wonderful girl," Mrs. Knittel said.
They also have two grandsons, a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter.
The Knittels said their marriage has generally been happy during through the years, despite the loss of their first infant daughter, a miscarriage and recent health problems.
"When we hit 65, I said, I think this is it. We're getting old," Mrs. Knittel said. "Little things came up ... then we hit our 70th. I said, here we are."
To have a successful marriage, "You have to give and take," Knittel said.
"You have your ups and downs, like most couples," Mrs. Knittel said. "We always make up before going to sleep. Don't let an argument stay here," she said, pointing to her heart.
Although the Knittels have been married the longest, other Whispering Oaks couples are approaching landmark anniversaries.
Bill and Connie Zambelli, both originally from Sharon, celebrated their 55th anniversary Sunday. They were married on Labor Day, because that was when all their friends and family had the day off.
The Zambellis offered similar advice on making love last.
"You've got to give, and you've got to take," Mrs. Zambelli said.
"Mostly take," her husband said.
Also Sunday, Whispering Oaks residents Sue and Steve Boor celebrated their 67th anniversary, and Bill and Eleanor Patterson will celebrate 65 years together on Sept. 18.