Mr. and Mrs. Neal C. Kessler Sr. will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 16, 2012.

Neal and Kay were married in 1962 at First Baptist Church of Rincon. The Rev. Barry Owens officiated.

Neal is a retired U.S. Air Force pilot, serving 20 years and including a tour in Korea and Vietnam. During his military service, the Kesslers moved 14 times and lived all over the country, including assignments in Oklahoma, Texas, Nevada, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan, California and Mississippi. After retiring and returning to Georgia, Neal worked for Tetley Tea and later for Kessler Enterprises. Besides raising her children, Kay volunteered extensively in her church and community and later went on to become a tax preparer for H&R Block and Neal Kessler Jr. CPA. Kay is also a former mayor of Rincon.

Kay also enjoys scrap booking, reading, gardening and crocheting. Neal enjoys golf and stays involved in numerous craftsman projects.

The Kesslers’ three children are Neal Kessler Jr. (Sonya), Wayne Kessler (Melissa) and Sandy Mizell (Wayne). Grandchildren are Nicole, Anna and Matthew Kessler, Marie Mancini (Philip), Ryan, Matt and Christopher Mizell and great-grandchild Peyton Coleman.

The couple will celebrate their anniversary with a private dinner with their children and grandchildren, followed by an Alaskan Yukon cruise in August.