Honeymooners return after 56 years, just enjoying the ride

A second honeymoon after 56 years of marriage may not be especially unusual, but driving the same route in the same model car they drove on their first honeymoon boosted the experience to a new level for Claude and Sherry Meppelink.

Claude and Sherry took off in Claude’s 1959 Ford Galaxie 500 after their wedding on June 15, 1962, on a route mapped out by a friend, Pete Glashouwer, who promised they would see a remarkable sight every day for 10 days.

They visited Gananoque, Canada’s 1,000 Islands; Lake Placid, New York; the Whiteface Mountains; Lake Champlain; northern Vermont; New Hampshire and lower Maine. Their final stop was the great honeymoon destination of the era, Niagara Falls.

In the years since then, the Meppelinks have built their life in Georgetown Township, and Claude has pursued his passion for cars, trucks and restoration projects that have included three vintage red pickups, a rare Ford unibody pickup, Tonka toys and Wheelhorse tractors.

About three years ago, Claude got a tip about someone who goes biking in Arizona who had come home bringing a classic car body in his pickup – a 1959 Ford Galaxie 500.

Claude put the idea out to his wife. “Wouldn’t it be fun if we restored this car and took a trip like we did on our honeymoon?” Sherry, who loves to travel, approved of the idea, though she had some reservations about the comfort level of the vehicle. One point in its favor: the car would be the original turquoise, her favorite color.

Claude said he did not keep a tally of the cost of the project, but knows the upholstery in the restoration project cost more than the $2,350 he paid for the original car. He drove the original for about 10 years, then sold it for $600. The restoration is identical to the original, except for the addition of air conditioning and lap seat belts.

Claude sought the help of Icon Services in Jenison in rebuilding his dream car. Claude does not use a computer at all but works through a network of friends and acquaintances and fellow car buffs to obtain parts. The story of the car and the trip are peppered with references to old friends, new contacts, people he has worked for and worked with, or someone he just met.

Claude was a high-school dropout and Sherry was a senior on the cheerleading squad at Hudsonville High School when they met. “I knew almost immediately I wanted to marry her,” Claude said, and he did, but first they dated for four years.

Sherry persuaded Claude to go back to high school and get his diploma, at age 20, so he could get a better job. He needed to find work less physically demanding than what he was doing for Kerkstra Septic Services. After leaving high school he had done a stint in the military, but a serious, nearly fatal circulatory condition ended his military service.

Claude successfully completed his last two years of high school, despite some challenges, and in 1964, went to work for Georgetown Township, becoming director of the public works department. There were 39 customers using water from a township deep well, and no sewer service. He retired in 2004. There are now 14,500 customers using public utilities.

The second honeymoon trip was a total success, according to both Claude and Sherry.

“Half the fun was seeing people’s responses to the car,” Sherry said. “Even when we were driving on the highway, people would pull up alongside and honk and wave and gesture toward the car. The first night we went to a hotel and we got so many comments and questions. They gave us the honeymoon suite at no extra charge.”

Stops at gas stations and restaurants resulted in plenty of interest. They even were waved through free of charge at a toll road booth.

The two have four children and 14 grandchildren. Sherry said everyone has enjoyed hearing stories about the car and the trip. As grandchildren have grown older, they have shown more interest in the projects in Claude’s barn.

Claude and Sherry are beginning to think about another trip.

“I’m not going to leave this car set,” Claude said. “I’m going to drive it.” Sherry has found the big, heavy vehicle to be even more comfortable than their 2015 model car, though because of seat belt laws, she can’t sit in the center of the bench front seat as she did when she and Claude were newlyweds.

Their next adventure may be to take the restored Ford along Route 66.