Children Host Mr. Mrs. T.B. Pilant At Party
One of the festive gatherings on Christmas was a family party of 33 honoring Mr.
And Mrs. T. B. Pilant of Osceola, MO, who are spending the holidays in the
vicinity,
The Pilant's son, Paul, received a telephone call from Missouri last week and,
as a result of the conversation, a son-in-law, Henry Graham made a quick trip
south and brought the Pilants home with him.
Because of the size of the party the Benton township branch YMCA was engaged for
the occasion. Dinner was served, gifts exchanged, pictures shown, new family
pictures made, carols were sung. Miss Judy Graham accompanied on the piano.
The Pilants will celebrate their 54th wedding anniversary on Jan 5.
Incidentally their first great- grandchild was born on Dec 26 to Mr. and Mrs.
Donald Perkins of South Bend, Ind.
Members of the family present Sunday were: Mr. And Mrs. Geo Pletz, Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Graham, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Pilant and their families, all of Benton Harbor;
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Mason and families, Niles; and Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Perkins
and family, South Bend, Ind. Other guest were William White, Niles; Russell
Gailhouse, Marcellus, Mich.; and Mrs. Gail Hesselgrave and son Bill of Benton
Harbor, the latter is a student at Michigan State University, East Lansing, home
for the holiday vacation
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Mr. And Mrs. T. B. Pilant In their flower garden
The first thing we do every morning is look out the window at the flowers, says
Mrs. Thomas B. Pilant, 1980 East Empire avenue.
Out the front window, she and her husband see giant begonias, petunias and
geraniums in a riot of color.
It’s rich ground and a good place for them, Pilant says of his begonias in the
front flower bed. All I do is water and weed them.
Flowers surround the small home and attest to loving care from the retired
farmer by growing in brilliant colors and giant sizes. They have an ideal
situation: He does the work and she admires his efforts.
Married 63 years ago next Jan 5, the childhood sweethearts moved here from
Clinton MO five years ago to be with their five children.
Their children are Paul Pilant who lives next door; Mrs. George (Lois) Pletz,
270 Britain avenue; Mrs. Clyde (Georgia) Perkins and Mrs. Ross (Helen) Kistler
of South Bend; and Mrs. Howard (Eathel) Mason of Niles.
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Mr., Mrs. Thomas Pilant To Note 65th Anniversary
Mr. And Mrs. Thomas Pilant 1980 East Empire avenue, Benton Harbor, will be
honored at an open house, Sunday, Jan 8, from 3 to 5 p.m. in The Fellowship room
at the Crystal Springs Church of God, 1465 pipe-Stone Street, Benton Harbor,
marking their 65th wedding anniversary.
The Pilant’s five children will host the occasion. They are: Mrs. Ross (Helen)
Kistler and Mrs. Clyde(Georgia) Perkins of South Bend; Mrs. Howard (Eathel)
Mason of Niles; Mrs. George (Lois) Pletz and Paul Pilant of Benton Harbor.
Mrs. Pilant was formerly Talitha Simms. She and Mr. Pilant were married Jan 5,
1902 in the home of her father, the Rev. John D Simms in Gerster, MO. The
Pilants’ lived in the Rev Simms home for three years, later moving to St Clair
and Barton counties, where Mr. Pilant
farmed and was in business.
They have lived in their present home which they built, for the past six years.
Mr. Pilant is retired. The Pilants have 14 grandchildren and
19 great grandchildren.
Submitted by: Deb Zabonick