The altar was decorated with frosted shrubs, centered with a red "V" fashioned of Poinsettias, four Christmas trees forming the background. At either side of the altar were white chrysanthemums in white baskets. The pews were marked with poinsettias and small arbor vitae branches, Mrs. O. C. Garnhart was in charge of decorating the church.

Mrs. Harry Anderson, contralto, sang three solos, Grieg's "I Love Thee," "Through the Years," and "God Gave Me You," Kaiser. Mrs. Derk Duthler, organist, played her accompaniments and a program of nuptial music, also the traditional Wagner and Mendelssohn wedding marches.

The bride was given in marriage by her father. Miss Anna Jean Morey was maid of honor. The Misses Joan Sharp, Marjorie Smull, Iva Ruth Zaedow and Mrs. Gerald Iserman were the bridesmaids. Jack Criddle was best man and the little flower girl was Janice Gartman. Chester Laible and Elwood Coomber, cousins of the bride, Richard T. Lumby and Gerald Iserman served as ushers.

The bride was attired in an ivory satin gown, with sweetheart neckline, long leg o'mutton sleeves, with pointed cuff, lace yoke and lace panel insets in the full skirt and train. Her silk net fingertip veil was lace edge and held in place with a lace cap. Her only ornament was a three-strand necklace of pearls, the groom's gift. She carried a bridal bouquet of white roses, tiny clusters of baby's breath being caught in the ribbon streamers. Miss Morey wore a fuchsia taffeta frock, Miss Sharp and Miss Zaedow were dressed in pink taffeta, Miss Smull and Mrs. Iserman wearing blue taffeta, all floor-length veils and mitts, and tiaras of flowers in their hair. Miss Morey carried a bouquet of Sweetheart roses, the bridesmaids carrying colonial bouquets of yellow and pink roses. The flower girl wore deep pink taffeta frock with pink rosebuds in her hair, and carried a small basket of rose petals.

The bride's mother was dressed in a soldier blue ensemble, set off with a shoulder corsage of yellow pom poms. After the ceremony a reception was held in the parlors of the church.

The serving table was centered with a five-tiered wedding cake, topped by soldier and bride figurines under an orange blossom wreath. The cake was decorated with yellow rosebuds and encircled with small evergreen branches. The yellow tapers were in duo crystal holders. Mrs. Burdett Small was in charge of the dining room, assisted by Mrs. Leonard Hime and Mrs. Clinton Brubaker. After the bride cut the first piece of cake the guests were served, Mrs. Chester Laible, Mrs. Don Laible, Mrs. Floyd Martin and Miss Mary Sargent presiding at the punch bowls. Private and Mrs. Downs left after the reception for a tri to Wisconsin.

They will reside in Champaign. For traveling the bride wore a dark brown meatless crepe dress, with brown satin trimming and matching accessories, and corsage of yellow pom poms. Many lovely gifts, consisting of crystal, china, linens, pictures and other items, were presented to the bridal couple. Out of town guests at the wedding and reception included two aunts of the bride, Mrs. Myrtle Eiler and Miss Eva E. Beach, both of Omaha, Neb., Mrs. Floyd Martin, Little York, Ill., a college roommate of the bride, Mrs. Ralph Batt, Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Barnes and Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Barnes, Rockford, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Coomber, Lena, Miss Elisabeth Caygill, Linden, Wis., and Mrs. Myrtle Baum, Lanark. After graduating from Freeport high school, the bride attended MacMurray college in Jacksonville, graduating last May with a degree of V. M. in public school music. She specialized in organ and piano and served as piano accompanist for the vocal groups at Freeport high school. She was a member of the senior choir of Embury church. Private Downs is a graduate of Freeport high school and in January, 1943, he graduated from Illinois Wesleyan college, Bloomington. He has a fine baritone voice and sang in the Embury choir, and with the high school and college choral groups. He is stationed at Chanute Field, Ill., and has been with the Army Air Corps band since February, working with the entertainment division.

Contributed by Karen Fyock - Dec. 6, 1943 clipping