GREENVILLE, Ohio (AP) – Harley Utz, who got married when rents were $19.50 a month, has died, five months after he and his wife celebrated their record 83rd anniversary. He was 103. 
Utz died Monday (11/12/01) at the nursing home where he and wife Sylvia, resided.

The couple got married June 15, 1918, in a simple ceremony at the home of the bride’s parents in Pitsburg, a town about 15 miles northwest of Dayton.

They couldn’t afford a honeymoon, and moved to Dayton, where their first rent was $19.50 a month. They also lived in Rochester, N.Y., and Chicago before returning to northwestern Ohio during the Depression.

Utz worked as an accountant for a Greenville bag manufacturer until he retired in 1965.

At the time of their 83rd anniversary, Sylvia Utz, who is also 103, said she does not believe in divorce and has preached the importance of marriage to her three children, who all have had long marriages.

She said the couple lived a “good, clean life.” They didn’t smoke or drink, and attended church regularly.

“We still live a day at a time and take whatever comes,” she said.

Earlier this year, the Guinness Book of Records certified that the couple had the longest marriage of a living couple.

Some will say they don’t want to live to be 103.  But what if you could share 83 of those years with the love of your life?

The way you accomplish anything of value is to do it one day at a time.  Surrender to Jesus each day.  Keep your wedding vows one day at a time.  Love your children one day at a time.  Serve those in need one day at a time.

John Kenneth King