Jim, Lucille Deeter visit Greenville church where they were wed nearly 70 years ago

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GREENVILLE — Jim and Lucille (Bolyard) Deeter traveled from their home in Marion, Ohio, to Greenville this week to visit with family and the church in which they were married nearly 70 years ago.

On Wednesday morning, they visited the First Congregational Christian Church on West Fifth Street, where they exchanged their nuptials on June 29, 1947.

With them was her sister, Velma, who is also visiting from California. Their brother, Don Bolyard, is the owner of Bolyard Heating and Cooling in town and has a race horse farm near Greenville.

The couple, each 90 years of age, met in downtown Greenville.

“He was in a car with a friend, and my girlfriend and I were walking down the street and we rode with them to Maid-Rite,” she recalled.

He worked at Young’s Market on North Broadway for 11 years and was taught how to cut meat.

She graduated from Greenville High School in 1947, but he left school when he was drafted into the Army Air Force. He said he was gone 14 months and cut meat the whole time he was there.

“When dad was in the military, he said they all rented a bus so they could all get home from Colorado,” said daughter Carol Sellwood, who now lives in Folson, Colorado.

On returning home after the service, Deeter went back to work for Young’s Market for a short time.

“We lived above Booker’s Market on Martin Street,” he said.

He subsequently went to work for Treaty Company in Greenville as a truck driver and was then transferred and became a plant manager in Marion. After that, he worked at BF Goodrich and then moved to California for eight years, doing secret service at the Lockheed Missile Plant before they returned to Marion.

His wife, who worked for a grocery store before their marriage, had worked as a secretary at a church in Marion.

The couple has four children, Tom and Gary of Marion, Dan of Henderson, Nevada, and Jimmy of southern California and Carol. There are 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

She was born on Nov. 7, 1926, and he was born on Dec. 6, 1926.

Now members of the Central Christian Church, the Deeters play cards and games and take vacations. In the past, they belonged to two dance clubs.

“I was a fisherman and liked anything with sports, especially Ohio State football,” he said.

What has kept their marriage going for nearly 70 years?

“Compromise,” he replied.

“Good communication,” added Lucille, after which her husband gave her a kiss.

Before they headed back home to 1609 Lusch Road in Marion, the Deeters stopped by the Maid-Rite…at least once.

Jim and Lucille Deeter stand outside the church at First Congregational Christian in Greenville while visiting Greenville this week. They were married there nearly 70 years ago.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_deeters70th1PRIINT.jpgJim and Lucille Deeter stand outside the church at First Congregational Christian in Greenville while visiting Greenville this week. They were married there nearly 70 years ago.

The Deeters kiss one another outside the First Congregational Christian Church on West Fifth Street. They were married there on June 29, 1947.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_deeters70thPRINT.jpgThe Deeters kiss one another outside the First Congregational Christian Church on West Fifth Street. They were married there on June 29, 1947.

By Linda Moody

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This writer may be reached at 937-569-4315. Follow her on Facebook and join the conversation and get updates on Facebook by searching Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

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