Campbell couple celebrates 60 years
SLIPPERY ROCK — Jerry and Janet Campbell, longtime owners and operators of the Campbell Bus Lines in northern Butler County, celebrated 60 years of marriage Sunday, Dec. 31.
But ahead of the momentous occasion, their family decided to do a “little” something special for the couple Saturday afternoon at the Slippery Rock Township Community Building.
“I would say, by the end of the day, there’ll be close to 250, maybe 300 people here,” Karen Hull, their daughter, said. “We have food for 300.”
When Jerry and Janet entered the township building Saturday, they were greeted by a packed hall of friends, family and community members — as well as one resounding phrase: “Surprise!”
“I had suspicions,” Jerry said with a laugh, “I would ask if something was happening, but they didn’t tell me the truth.”
Bill Eschenbaugh, Janet’s brother, welcomed the couple with a poem written for the occasion — beginning with their wedding day Dec. 31, 1963.
The poem recounted how the wedding date kept Jerry from the draft, the legacy of the Campbell Bus Company and their “deep commitment” for six decades.
“A spring wedding was planned when the world was fresh and new,” he read. “The government had other ideas, so a December date would have to do.”
“Three children, eight grandchildren and great grand-children growing to four,” Bill read. “Jerry and Janet’s hearts are so full and they would gladly welcome more.”
Janet said it was rare to see their extensive friends and family in one place, and that it didn’t happen as often as they’d like it to.
“I guess all these people are sort of a reflection on our being together,” she said. “Everybody helps each other through the good and the bad.”
“We have a lot of friends, and a lot of people who helped us along the way,” Jerry added.
The idea for the surprise party came three months ago through Kyle Campbell, the couple’s grandson.
“We were at a 50th wedding anniversary with grandma and grandpa,” Kyle said. “I just had the idea in my head, and I leaned over and I said to grandpa, ‘Isn’t this year you guy’s 60th?’”
Kyle then messaged his cousin John Stoughton, Hull’s son, and began to organize the event. He said Jerry and Janet have done “a lot of special things” for the family, and the surprise party was a way to return the favor.
“You are never going to meet any two people that love their families more than them,” Kyle said.
Hull said she and her two brothers, Art and Todd Campbell, inherited a legacy of “hard work” and generosity from their parents.
And she believed the secret to their 60-year commitment was “the trust they have with each other.”
Her brother Art said their “good health” played an important part in their lifelong love.
“It’s pretty remarkable,” he said. “How many thousands of couples get married that never see 60?”
Todd said his parents’ secret was their communication.
“It’s probably that dad listens to mom so well,” he said.
But for the happy couple, the secret was simpler still.
“’Yes, dear,’” Jerry said, chuckling. “No. Believe this or not, we’ve had one argument in our marriage. Todd was a baby and we said we aren’t ever going to do this again. We didn’t always agree, but we always chatted about it.
“And she’s a wonderful person.”
Laughing, Janet said there was no “real secret to make things work” in their 60-year marriage.
“You just have to work at it,“ she said. ”It’s a constant thing, but a pleasant constant thing.“
