Couple remarries 73 years later

The story of Robert Wenrich and Fay Shober began in the 1940s when the two were neighbors on Kline Road between Denver and Schoeneck. "(Robert) was my brother's best friend," explained Fay, who noted that Robert seemed to always be available to help when it was her turn to empty the wash water. On Nov. 10, 1951, the two were married in a no-frills wedding under a tree with only the officiant and Fay's brother and his wife as witnesses.

Fay and Robert had four children before divorcing nearly 50 years ago. Since then, Fay remarried, and she was married for 42 years before her husband passed away two years ago. Robert also remarried, and his wife passed nine years ago. During those decades since they divorced, Fay and Robert endeavored to be good parents to their children, remaining cordial when they saw each other at family birthday and holiday celebrations. "We would be at the same place and say hello," recalled Fay.

According to their youngest child, Carol Smith, both parents (Fay now age 89 and Robert 94) were lonely after their respective spouses passed. "We would play cards and do more things (together)," said Carol. "It was very sociable." In early summer 2024, Robert asked Fay out on a date, and the two went to Kauffman's Bar-B-Que Restaurant in Berks County.

"I don't think I was (nervous)," recalled Robert of asking Fay to go to dinner. In September 2024, Fay became ill, and Robert volunteered to be her caregiver. "He is so good to me," reported Fay.

On Nov. 11, 2024, while Carol was on her lunch break at work, she received a call from Fay. "My mother said, 'I don't know if I am going to change my last name,'" recalled Carol, who responded by asking, "Are you trying to tell me that you're getting married?" When Fay said yes and shared that she and Robert wanted a "low-key" wedding, Carol had other ideas. "I said, 'No, Mom, you're going to have a nice wedding because you didn't have a nice wedding for the first one.'"

Carol sprang into action, contacting Bear Mill Estate and Inn in Denver and arranging for the couple to be married there on Dec. 8. A few days after the pair told Carol and the rest of the children of their plans, Robert officially popped the question, and on Nov. 20, the couple visited Parkhill Jewelry in Ephrata to purchase a ring. Impressed with Robert and Fay's intention to remarry, Parkhill asked to put a photo on its Facebook page, and the post quickly garnered hundreds of responses. More than 80 family members and guests attended the wedding, officiated by Philip Shober, pastor of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Bowmansville. "The bride had been my Sunday school teacher when I was a kid," recalled Shober. "It was so exciting to have Carol ask me if I would be willing to officiate at their wedding." Shober noted that the ceremony was "very emotional and obviously unique and special." "I began the service by saying, 'Jesus said, with God all things are possible ... and Bob and Fay prove it's true.'"

To make sure her parents had a wedding to remember, Carol arranged for a bachelorette party for Fay, complete with a bride-to-be sash and a crown, and she hired a photographer and DJ for the big day. Robert requested "The Last Dance" by Floyd Cramer, and the pair fed each other cake. Robert wore a navy blue suit, and Fay wore a tan lace dress with a jacket and sparkles sewn in.

Fay and Robert are now living in his home in Stevens. Fay sold her place in Denver, and they are quickly growing accustomed to being together. "He is a wonderful housekeeper," said Fay. "He kept this place spotless." Fay also noted that the couple is careful to give each other space. "He goes to play cards with his buddies, and I love to crochet, so I crochet while he is out playing cards," she said.

Carol reported that most of the family, including 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and Fay's stepchildren were able to attend the wedding. "I was 15 when they divorced, and I never thought I would be planning their wedding when I was 64," said Carol, noting that all family members were happy and excited to see the pair together again.