After 70 years of wedded bliss to the former Alice Wagner, 92-year-old Floyd (Bud) Schmidt has revealed his formula for a happy marriage:

“I do what the wife says.”

The couple exchanged vows on Sept. 11, 1948, in St. Clement's Catholic Church in Navarre and continue to love and cherish one another to this day.

“We’re happy and enjoying life and hope it continues for many more years,” said the Army veteran, who noted he and his wife, 91, have always taken care of each other.

On Oct. 21, the Schmidts and 57 other couples in Stark County attended a wedding anniversary celebration by renewing their marriage vows at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist Church in Canton. The Rev. George V. Murry, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, presided over the special Mass, which affirms the sanctity of marriage.

The Schmidts have the honor of being married the longest. Next are Lawrence and Marie Fecske of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Plain Township with 68 years, and Robert and Jane Krisher of St. Joseph Parish in Massillon, 66 years.

Each couple received a personalized certificate. According to the Catholic Diocese, the event is held every October in Stark County and is announced in weekly church bulletins and the Catholic Exponent.

When Alice walked down the aisle to greet her bridegroom 70 years ago, Schmidt recalled “how lucky” he felt. The two were introduced by Schmidt’s sister who married Alice’s brother.

When they began dating, Schmidt figured they’d go out a few times and that would be the end of it. But the relationship grew serious, he proposed marriage and she said “yes,” the answer he was hoping she’d say.

The couple have had their “spats” over the years, but rarely, if ever, have they argued. However, Schmidt admitted it has been a tad disappointing at times when he “asked to do something and she wouldn’t let me… that was the only bad thing,” he said.

Schmidt, who grew up in Massillon, is retired from the former Republic Steel Corp., and his wife was the sacristan at St. Clement’s. He enjoys working jigsaw puzzles and dining out. Alice, a life resident of Navarre where she and her husband live, likes playing cards and working bingo at Holy Family Parish in Navarre.

After Alice gave birth to three daughters, Schmidt light-heartedly said she finally gave him three sons. Their children are: Charlene Schmidt of Hawaii; Diane Simonson and Gerald Schmidt of Navarre; Patricia Hummel and David Schmidt of Jackson Township; and Brian Schmidt of Wooster. Six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren complete the family.

A reception was held Sunday for the honored couples and their families in the school hall hosted by members of St. John Guild.

Also celebrating marriage milestones were:

Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Canton — Thomas and Marilyn Bausher, 65; Joseph and Mildred Rea, 60; John and Nancy Shemo, 59; Frederic and Arleen Scott, 25.

Christ the Servant, Canton — Gerald and Sophia Michel, 62; Ernie and Mary Chekan, 59; Michael and Holly Jeffries, 40.

Holy Family, Navarre — Timothy S. and Margaret B. Cotton, 40; Charles and Nancy Hawk, 40.

Holy Spirit, Lake Township — Anthony and Maria DiBiase, 55; Jon and Judy Sample, 55.

Little Flower, Plain Township, — James and Gloria Jean Gillilan, 54; Patrick and Judy Downing, 50.

Sacred Heart of Mary, Louisville — Dale and Sherrie Ackerman, 50; Cliff and Vickie Frank, 40.

Sts. Philip & James, Canal Fulton — Michael and Linda Ross, 52; H. Arden and Mary Tohill, 40.

St. Anthony/All Saints, Canton — Joseph and Patricia Marcoaldi, 50.

St. Barbara, Massillon — Robert C. and Mary Alice Kring, 50.

St. Joan of Arc, Canton — Joseph and Joanne Fedevich, 60; Martin and Geraldine Aventino, 57; Bobby and Linda Pack, 57; Martin and Barbara Kraynik, 40.

St. Joseph, Alliance — William and Doris Oyster, 65 years; Jerry and Mary Ackerman, 60; Michael and Teresa Dyke, 25; John and Kathy Scarpitti, 25.

St. Joseph, Massillon — Robert and Jane Krisher, 66; Tim and Joyce Serra, 53; Scott and Shelly Elliott, 25; Michael and Jane Viront, 25.

St. Joseph-Maximo, Alliance — Edward and Dianna Gulling, 55.

St. Louis, Louisville — Paul and Cheryl Vega, 50; Michael and Trace Benyi, 25.

St. Mary, Massillon — Richard and Patricia Dalsky, 40; Neil and Cindy Maier, 40; Gregory and Trina Wachtel, 25.

St. Mary/St. Benedict, Canton — Roger and Diana Storch, 40; Paul and Karen Brown Coulas, 25.

St. Michael the Archangel, Plain Township — Lawrence and Marie Fecske, 68; Daniel and Anne Dowling, 65; Roland and Marie Peters, 65; Edward and Mary Ann Kravos, 55; George and Maureen Lowe, 40; Dennis and RoseAnn Manzella, 40; James and Mary Jane Young, 25.

St. Paul, North Canton — David and Sandra Tate, 51; Randy and Joan Benore, 50; Thomas and Barbara Daianu, 50; Timothy and Victoria Petry, 50; Philip and Marilyn Pfund, 50; Larry and Deanna Soper, 50; Stephen & Caroline Suter-Connor, 40; Steven and Mary Dick, 40; Paul and Colleen Severyn, 40; Ed and Michele Kennedy, 25; Matt and Lisa Trieff, 25.