Paul and Burdette “Butch” Finn, longtime El Reno residents, are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. The couple was married Jan. 13, 1945, in Algiers, La. They met in 1941 on a blind date. Finn was working for General Mills, while Burdette was a senior at El Reno High School. Their relationship had to be put on hold when Finn joined the Navy in 1942 during World War II. They were married in 1945 before his discharge.
Finn was employed with General Mills from 1939 to 1965, then went to work for Western Electric as a maintenance man, retiring in 1986.
After graduation from high school, Mrs. Finn attended Draughon''s Business School. Her first job was with Burr''s Department Store as a bookkeeper. Later she was employed as an office worker at Cimarron Field, Mustang Field and Fort Reno. She had also worked at TG&Y, Ross Drive-In and the Pixie Shop.
Finn has been involved in renovating automobiles, many of them antiques. The couple drove to their 50th wedding anniversary celebration in their 1940 LaSalle.
Burdette enjoys sewing, crocheting and embroidery.
The couple has two children, David Finn of Bridgeport, Texas, and Joyce McCullough of Emporia, Kan., as well as six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.