Ohio man's ring returned at wake after 57 years

[October 27, 2009]  AKRON, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio man was shocked to have his high school ring back after 57 years and was surprised by where it was returned: at the wake for his high school sweetheart.

Joe Lepera, 75, had dated Sharon Coddington Gainer for two years, but they broke up when he joined the Air Force following his 1952 graduation from Akron Central High School.

He saw the obituary after her death earlier this month and went to the funeral home in the Akron area Oct. 11.

Lepera said he was tapped on the shoulder by Bill Gainer, the man who eventually married his old flame. Gainer handed over the class ring that his wife had been given by Lepera when the two were an item.

Gainer said his wife had instructed him to return the ring if Lepera visited the funeral home.

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Information from: Akron Beacon Journal, http://www.ohio.com/

[Associated Press]

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