John and Merna Patten of Butler celebrated 50 years of marriage with a family dinner at the Saxonburg Hotel in Saxonburg.

The former Merna Green married Patten on April 8, 1955, at First Baptist Church in Butler.

They have two children, Jacqueline McFarland of Butler and John Patten II of Philadelphia. They also have two grandchildren.

Patten is retired from the Butler School District.

Mrs. Patten is retired from Nationwide Insurance.

The couple belongs to Community Alliance Church and the Southernaires Southern Gospel Group.