TONI AND JOAN Perfect, and at their wedding on Aug. 10, 1957.

Edith J. (Joan) and Gene A. (Toni) Perfect of Empire will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, Aug. 10.

The couple first met in Okemos, Mich., and were later married in Middleton, Mich., on Aug. 10, 1957 at the Pleasant Grove United Brethren Church by the Rev. Willis C. Taylor Jr., the bride’s father.

After living in Columbia, S.C., Toni and Jo moved back to Michigan in 1971, when Toni was appointed the first planning director for Leelanau County. He is now semi-retired and works for Northwest Mapping. Jo was employed by Empire National Bank until her retirement in August 2000, and now works part-time in guest relations for Boone Dock’s in Glen Arbor.

The couple raised their four sons while living in Dexter, Mich., Columbia and Leelanau County. They include Jeffrey Perfect (Kendall) of Boston, Scot Perfect (Pam) of Chandler, Ariz., Kevin Perfect (Toni) of Grand Haven, and Sean Perfect (Patty) of Phoenix. The couple also has four grandchildren.

The Perfects reside in Empire and divide their time by visiting family around the country.