Miss Joanne Mersberger Is Bride Of George Hesslink

Green and white were predominant in the wedding Saturday of Miss Joanne Mersberger and George Kuemmet Hesslink. Not until the bride, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roman John Mersberger, 1511 Indiana Ave., walked down the aisle of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with her father, who presented her in marriage, did she know that a solemn nuptial Mass was to be offered. It had been arranged as a surprise to her by the Rev. James J. Shlikas, celebrant. Other officers of the Mass that followed the 11 o'clock marriage service were the Rev. Robert Skeris, deacon; the Rev. Alphonse Rumbac, subdeacon, and Peter Skeris, master of ceremonies. Two cousins of the bride, James and John Meyer, served as thurifer and acolyte, respectively. Another in the last-listed role was Paul Jagelowicz.

The bridegroom is the son of Mrs. Hildegarde K. Hesslink of Skokie, Ill. "Mass in Honor of the Blessed Sacrement" was sung by the choir with Mrs. Agnes Zupancich at the organ. The soloist, Mrs. George Aldakauskas Jr., the bride's aunt, sang "Ave Maria" John Jordan, and "Panis Angelicus" with the choir joining her. The group also did "On This Day, O Beautiful Mother," when the bride placed a bouquet at the Blessed Virgin Altar. White gladioli and stock were combined with green carnations in the four altar bouquets that had white satin ribbon bows. Family pews were marked with bows also.

A gown of silk organza with scalloped Sabrina neckline, adorned with iridescent sequins and seed pearls, was the bride's attire. Princess lines of the gown were outlined with wide bands of rosepoint lace, also used for the three-quarter length sleeves. The back detail was a controlled bustle above a wide sweeping chapel train. The queen's double crown of Alencon lace, emblazoned with seed pearls and sequins, was attached to a bouffant silk illusion veil. Ivy streamers were intermingled with white roses and stephanotis in the cascade-style bouquet that had showers of white satin ribbons with stephanotis.

Seven attendants appeared in the procession. They were identically gowned in jade green silk organza over taffeta. The styling included scoop necklines, elbow-length sleeves and full shirred skirts as well as a satin cummerbund on each with a satin rose at the back of the waistline. Matching satin headpieces with veils complemented the dresses. Cascade-crescent bouquets of whole and feathered white carnations and filiciflora ferns had mint green ribbon and tulle trim.

Maid of honor was Miss Mary Alyce Heller, Warrenville, Ill., roommate of the bride at Alverno College, Milwaukee, and three of her classmates were bridesmaids, Miss Grace Abraham, Elgin, Ill.; Miss Barbara Klevickis, Janesville, and Miss Mary Schlitz, Burlington, with a sister of the bride, Miss Mary Beth Mersberger, were in the roles. Junior bridesmaids were Josephine Kuemmet, the bridegroom's cousin, and Patricia Simenz, similarly related to the bride. They carried small versions of the bouquets described. Norman A. Hesslink Jr., Des Plaines, Ill., brother of the bridegroom, was the best man. Groomsmen included Nils Slepekis, the bridegroom's cousin, and two fellow students at Northwestern University, Lee Huebner and Virgil Bruner, Chicago. The trio doubled as ushers.

Bridal party and relatives of the couple were entertained at a wedding dinner, served at 1 o'clock at Johnny's Restaurant, where, between 3 and 7 o'clock, a reception for approximately 500 guests from 21 places was held, followed by a buffet supper.

Mr. Hesslink is taking his bride to Florida for three weeks and after July 17, they will be residing in Hyde Park, Chicago area. The former Miss Mersberger was graduated from Central High School in 1959 and attended Alverno College for two years. This month Mr. Hesslink received his B.A. Degree in sociology from Northwestern University and previously, a diploma from Central High School, class of 1958. He will continue his education at the University of Chicago in fall with research assistantship with National Opinion Research Center.

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