Newspaper clipping from book submitted by Bob Johnson

Date: Dec. 20, 1959

Miss Janice JOHNSON, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester E. JOHNSON

of Sheffield, became the bride of Wayne COOPER, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold ANDERSON of Prophetstown, Sunday afternoon at 2:30 in the Tampico Baptist church. The pastor, Rev. Frank FROST, performed the double ring ceremony, assisted by Richard SPRAGUE of the Yorktown Church of  Christ.

Baskets of white pom pons centered with red poinsettias decorated the church already dressed for Christmas. A huge Christmas tree to the front and side of the sanctuary added beauty.

Mrs. Glenn CARLSON at the oran accompanied Mrs. Frank FROST as she sang “Because” preceding the ceremony and “Oh Perfect Love” and “The Lord’s Prayer” during the ceremony.

Mrs. Howard BATTEN served her sister as matron of honor. Howard BATTEN was best man.

The bride given in marriage by her father was lovely in a ballerina length gown of Chantilly lace over white satin, fashioned with a fitted bodice with a scalloped neckline and long sleeves pointed at the wrists. The bouffant skirt was scalloped at the hemline. Her pearl earrings and necklace were the gift of the bridegroom. The fingertip veil was held by a tiara of lace and braided tulle embroidered with pearls and sequins.

Her flowers were a cascade arrangement of red roses and white pom ponswith tine silver bells and red holly berries attached to the streamers.  The matron of honor wore a waltz length gown of red velvet fashioned with an empire waistline and three-quarter length semi-dolman sleeves. Her headpiece was a red velvet tiara with a veil. She carried a modified arrangement of white pom pons and red holly berries. Her seed pearl necklace was a gift from the bride.

The bride’s mother wore a black crepe dress with black and white accessories. The bridegroom’s mother was attired in a beige print dress with brown accessories. The bridegroom’s grandmother Mrs. Emmanual ANDERSON of Sterling and the mothers of the couple had white mum corsages. 

A reception for about 125 guests followed in the church dining room, Miss Verla Martin registered the guests.

Mrs. Orville HATTEN served the wedding cake baked by Mrs. Raymond MARTENS. She was assited by Mrs. Kenneth MARTIN. Miss Lillie JOHNSON served the coffee and Mrs. Harry MARTIN the punch. Ladies of the church assisted in the kitchen.

The servin table was centered with the three-tiered wedding cake, decorated with red hearts and Christmas bells. A miniature bride and groom ornament was on the top and red roses, white mums and greens surrounded the base of the cake. The table was lighted by red and white candies incrystal holders decorated with silver bells.

The bride’s table was centered by a wedding bell with intertwining red roses.

In charge of the gifts were Misses Nancy WILLARD and Coleen RHODA, schoolmates of the bride at Illinois State Normal University, Mrs. Tom DAINE of Rockford and Mrs. Donald ANDERSON of Rock Falls.

When the couple left on their wedding trip of undisclosed destination, the bride was wearing a two-piece dress of red and olive green with black accessories.

The couple will make their home with the bride’s parents until Mrs. COOPER graduates from Illinois State Normal University in August of 1960. Mr. COOPER is employed at Cady’s Implement and Grain Co. in Deer Grove.

Guests attending the wedding and reception were from Annapolis, Md., Manlius, Rock Falls, Macomb, Sheffield, Moline, Rockford, Prophetstown, Hooppole, Wyanet, Morris Mendota, Danforth, Chenos and Tampico.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard BATTEN and sons entertained at the rehearsal party Saturday evening. The guests were Rev. and Mrs. Frank FROST, Richard SPRAGUE, Mrs. Glenn CARLSON, Mr. and Mrs. Lester JOHNSON, Mr. and Mrs. Harold ANDERSON, Miss Janice JOHNSON and Wayne COOPER.