In celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary, a dinner party was held for Larry and Paulette Zettler at Johnny Harris restaurant on July 20. Growing up near the Effingham/Chatham county line, Larry and Paulette met at age 14 and were married seven years later at North Salem Baptist Church. They lived in Garden City for 26 years where they reared their children and attended Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Larry and Paulette are loving, devoted parents/grandparents of Lena and Tim Finholt (Bret and Josh) of North Richland Hills, Texas, and Jason and Cheryl Zettler (Larson and Sydney) of Clyo.

As a research entomologist, Larry retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture having worked in Savannah (26 years), California (10 years), and North Carolina (five years). During his career, Larry was involved with national and international research programs and organizations fostering development and implementation of post-harvest pest control technologies.

Paulette retired after 34 years from Chatham County Department of Family and Children Services and again after seven years from the City of Fresno. Paulette’s favorite wedding song, “Whither Thou Goest,” became a reality over the years as she and Larry traveled together on many business trips and family vacations.

Larry and Paulette are blessed with a long list of friends, colleagues and family members, nearby and abroad, and their home has always been an open door to everyone. Larry and Paulette returned to this area five years ago. Both whole-heartedly agree, whether returning from a long or short trip, “It’s good to be home.”