GREENVILLE — After 50 years of marriage, Michael “Mike” Stegall needs little time to consider whether he would marry his wife, Rose, again.
“In a heartbeat,” he said. “In a heartbeat.”
The Stegalls celebrate their golden wedding anniversary Oct. 22, five decades after exchanging vows Oct. 22, 1976, at a church in Russia, Ohio.
For Mike, a former Darke County commissioner, the years have brought opportunities to travel, build lasting friendships, and enjoy a partnership rooted in giving each other room to pursue their interests.
“I can’t believe it’s been 50 years,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
Their story began with an introduction arranged by Mike’s sister-in-law, who worked with Rose at Wayne Hospital, now Wayne HealthCare, in Greenville.
“She introduced us, and we started dating,” Mike said. “And the rest is history.”
Looking back, he said, the passage of time is difficult for either of them to comprehend.
“It does not seem like 50 years at all,” he said. “Neither one of us can believe we’re in our 70s.”
When asked who wears the pants in the family, Mike offered an answer that reflected the humor that still defines their relationship.
“Each of us has a leg,” he said.
That shared approach extends to everyday decisions. Mike said they respect each other’s independence while frequently joining in whatever the other wants to do.
“She pretty much lets me do what I want to do. She has always been that way, and I pretty much let her do whatever she wants to do,” he said. “And we do a lot of stuff together.”
Travel has been a significant part of their life together. Mike credited steady employment and an early commitment to saving with helping make those experiences possible.
“We’ve both been fortunate to have good jobs, and we were very fortunate that when we were young, we started saving early together,” he said.
Their travels have taken them across the United States, overseas and to numerous Caribbean islands. They have visited Hawaii three or four times, he said, and particularly enjoy the American South and West.
Among their overseas destinations, London, Scotland and Ireland stand out as favorites.
“They’re beautiful,” Mike said.
At home, their interests sometimes pull them in different directions, which suits them both.
Mike is an avid golfer who tries to play every day he can. Rose enjoys spending time at home.
When asked how Rose feels about his frequent golf outings, Mike responded with another joke.
“She loves it because I’m out of the house,” he said. “And I’m not making a mess.”
Mike said Rose largely stayed out of his work as a county commissioner, though she took pride in his service.
“She was very proud of me,” he said.
Then, with his familiar self-deprecating humor, he added that she also worried he might make mistakes.
“It also scared her to death that I was going to screw things up,” he said. “I have a tendency to do that.”
The couple also have faced the physical challenges that come with getting older. Arthritis led Mike to have both knees, both shoulders and one hip replaced. Rose has had one hip replaced.
Mike said remaining active continues to matter to them.
“You can’t just sit around and let life pass you by,” he said. “You have to grab it and hold on to it as long as you can.”
Their life together also includes friendships that have endured for decades. Mike said they continue spending time with friends they made when they were newly married.
Those relationships, along with the companionship he and Rose share, are among the things he values most.
For younger couples, he advises finding someone they can enjoy building a life with.
“There’s nothing more enjoyable than doing stuff with your wife or your husband, and just having a good time and getting with your friends,” he said.
As the Stegalls mark their 50th anniversary, Mike said he recognizes how fortunate they have been.
“We’re both blessed, and we know it,” he said. “We’ve had a wonderful life together. We never thought it would be like this.”
His assessment of the past five decades is simple.
“It’s been great,” he said. “I’d do it all over again.”
