Amid brass candelabra with silk flower arrangements in shades of blue, and white satin bows decorating the pews, Robert E. Gillis, Jr. of Overland, Kans. and Dana Denise Arnold of Shawnee, Kans. were united in a double ring wedding ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 14, 1985, in the Highland Park Baptist Church, Independence, Kans. Rev. Bob Crain officiated.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Norman R. Arnold of Independence, Kans. Parents of the groom are Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Gillis, Sr. of Kansas City, Mo. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Everett M. Whorton of Cushing.
Escorted by her father, the bride chose a gown of white satin with sweetheart neckline, beaded sequin bodice, short ballroom sleeves dotted with pearls and trimmed with silk Venice lace and pleated chapel train.
The two-tiered white veil of Venice lace was fashioned with a side floral pearl spray and Venice lace edged veiling. Her bouquet was an arrangement of white roses, white baby carnations and stephanotis.
The groom was attired in a white tuxedo with tails and a white rose boutonniere.
The mother of the bride chose an evening-gown length dress of royal blue chiffon and taffeta accented with sequins and beads on the waistband. The mother of the groom chose an evening-gown length dress of royal blue knit. It was fashioned with lace sleeves.
Attendants for the couple were Miss Lisa Arnold of Baldwin City, Kans., sister of the bride, and Mike Harlow of Overland, Kans.
Bridesmaids were Mrs. Lou Brady of Gardner, Kans. and Miss Judy Storms of Mission, Kans. Groomsmen were Brent Harlow, Lenexa, Kans. and Paul McWilliams of Overland Park, Kans.
The maid of honor and the bridesmaids wore royal blue taffeta gowns with sweetheart necklines accented with sequins and beads, short double ruffle sleeves, long petal skirts with bow and ruffle on one side.
The maid of honor carried a nosegay of silk shades of blue and white flowers. The bridesmaids' white fans were trimmed with lace and an arrangement of silk flowers in shades of blue.
The best man and the groomsmen were attired in black tuxedos with royal blue ties and cumberbunds.
Christy Keller, niece of the groom, was the flowergirl. She wore a royal blue taffeta gown with ruffle sleeves and ruffled hemline. Her headpiece was of silk flowers in shades of blue. Roger James of Olathe, Kans. was ringbearer.
Mrs. Jon Horning of Council Grove, Kans. and Miss Sonja Schwatken of Lawrence, Kans. were candlelighters. They wore powder blue taffeta gowns with double ruffle short sleeves. Miss Jayne Ann Arnold of Bartlesville, cousin of the bride, played "The Theme from Ice Castles" on the piano for the candlelighting.
Keeping the guest book was Miss Janet Arnold of Tulsa, Okla.; Miss Heather Moore, Chanute, Kans. was in charge of the wedding programs; and the rice bags were distributed by Miss Julie Arnold of Bartlesville, and Miss Angela Arnold, Ellisville, Mo. They are all cousins of the bride.
Mrs. Phil Atkisson of Independence, Kans., organist, and Miss Laura Watson of Wichita, Kans., pianist, accompanied Mrs. David Lewis and John Chandler as they sang "To Me," Mrs. David Lewis as she sang "Always and Forever" and Gary Manford of Gardner, Kans. as he sang "The Lord's Prayer."
A rehearsal dinner was held at George's Cafeteria, Coffeyville, Kans. on Friday, Sept. 13, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Norman R. Arnold.
Following the reception held in the fellowship hall of Highland Park Baptist Church, the couple left for a seven day cruise to the Caribbean and Bahamas.
They returned Sept. 22 to make their home at 5303 Foxridge Drive No. 201, Mission, Kans. where they bride is business office supervisor at Adia Personnel Service and the groom is employed with McCloud Pest Control as a service technician.
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