Wedding
Samantha Kempker & Ethan Margherio
October 27, 2017
Samantha Kempker and Ethan Margherio, both of Pittsburg, Pa., were married at 3 p.m., October 27, 2017 at St. Francis Xavier Church, Taos. Father Greg Meystrik performed the double-ring ceremony. A blessing of the marriage was held at 3 p.m., October 28, 2017 at Wasserlauf Valley by Sister Linda Markway. The bride is the daughter of Larry and Gayla Kempker, Jefferson City. The groom is the son of Brian and Teresa Margherio, Edwardsville, Ill. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore her mother's wedding gown and carried a bouquet created by the bride. The honor attendant was Stacy Osmond, Katy, Texas, sister of the bride. The attendants were Crystal Tellman, Jefferson City, sister of the bride; Shantae Duren, Los Angeles, Calif., friend of the couple; Francy Runge, Jefferson City, friend of the couple; Diane Gibson, San Antonio, Texas, friend of the couple; and Brittney Abel, Edwards, friend of the couple. They wore navy blue gowns. The best man was Brent Freeman, Lake of the Ozarks, friend of the couple. The groomsmen included: Rory Margherio, Rolla, brother of the groom; Adam Margherio, Dallas, Texas, brother of the groom; Chad Kempker, Jefferson City, brother of the bride; Rob Redmond, St. Louis, friend of the couple; Atallah Alyatim, St. Louis, friend of the couple; and Hodge Hunter, Wheeling, W.Va., friend of the couple. The flower girls were Preslee Tellman, daughter of Matt and Crystal Tellman, Jefferson City, goddaughter of the bride; and Avery Osmond, daughter of Lee and Stacy Osmond, Katy, Texas, goddaughter of the bride. The ring bearer was Jayden Kempker, son of Chad and Crystal Kempker, Jefferson City, godson of the bride. The best dog was Pumpkin, pet of the bride and groom. The lector was Allen Markway, Knoxville, Tenn., godfather of the bride. A reception dinner and dance followed the ceremony at Wasserlauf Valley. A rehearsal dinner, hosted by the groom's parents, was held October 27, 2017, at Wasserlauf Valley. The bride is a graduate of Blair Oaks High School, Jefferson City; Missouri S&T with a BS degree; and Sam Houston University with a Masters degree. She is currently seeking a PhD with Ohio University. The groom is a graduate of Missouri S&T college and is currently seeking a Masters degree at the University of Pittsburg. He is a Nuclear Engineer with Westinghouse, Pittsburg, Pa. After a wedding trip to Ireland, the couple resides in Pittsburg, Pa.