Mr. and Mrs. Jim Smartz, 185 Wakefield Drive, Sharpsville, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with family and friends at Jess’s restaurant in Hermitage, hosted by their children.

The former Nancy Gilchrist and Smartz were married Sept. 6, 1958, in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Sharpsville, by Rev. Thomas F. McGovern.

Mr. Smartz, after graduating from Allegheny College, Meadville, entered the Marine Corps and served on active duty for 23 years before retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. His time in service included two tours of duty in Vietnam. He then returned to Mercer County and headed the Department of Veterans Affairs in Mercer County for 19 years. He was the longest serving director of Veterans Affairs in the history of Mercer County.

Mrs. Smartz graduated from Trumbull Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Warren, Ohio, and attended Penn State University’s Shenango Campus in Sharon. After graduation she remained employed at Trumbull while Jim completed a 15-month tour of duty in Okinawa. Subsequently, she worked at the Oceanside (Calif.) Hospital; Queens Hospital, Honolulu; and Virginia Beach (Va.) Hospital. She retired from Sharon Regional Health System after 18 years, the last 10 as the director of nursing.

They are the parents of three children: Rhoda Carmody and her husband, Sean, Pittsburgh; Jamie Butler and husband, Rome, Ga.; and Jay and his wife, Brooke, Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Five grandchildren, Caitlin, Erin and Allena Carmody and Zo and Lola Butler, complete the family.

Jim and Nancy enjoy a leisurely life of retirement. Jim is the director of volunteer services at the Mercer County VA Clinic in Hermitage, while Nancy enjoys spending time with the grandchildren.