Barbara Kay Banasik and Richard (Rick) Douglas Stock were united in marriage July 29, 2010 as the sun streamed through the stained glass windows at the 143-year-old First United Methodist Church in Watervliet. The Rev. Jeff  Reese,  pastor of Hope Methodist Church in Edwardsburg (where the couple attend), officiated.
Parents of the bride are Gordon and Joan Banasik of Watervliet. The groom is the son of Jackie Stock of Niles and the late Richard Stock.
Sister-in-law Sheila Banasik of Coloma was matron of honor. Bridesmaids were sisters-in-law MaryJo Banasik, East Lansing, Mich., Betsy Banasik, Menomonee Falls, Wis., Karen Banasik, Cleveland Heights, Ohio; and college friends Erin Van Dyke, Jenson, Mich., and Theresa Corwin, Oscoda, Mich. Junior bridesmaids were Brittany Rogers, Ashley Smith, both of Niles, nieces of the groom; Vanessa Banasik, Coloma, and Rebekah Banasik, East Lansing, nieces of the bride.
Rachel Banasik, East Lansing, Katie Banasik, Menomonee Falls, both nieces of the bride, and Rosie Smith, Niles, niece of the groom, were flower girls. Grant Banasik, Coloma, and Anthony Occhiuto, Cleveland Heights, nephews of the bride, were ring bearers.
Tony Kickles, Stevensville, was best man. Groomsmen were Barry Banasik, Cleveland Heights, Ben Banasik, Menomonee Falls, Bob Banasik, Coloma, and Brad Banasik, East Lansing, all brothers of the bride. Todd Smith, brother-in-law of the groom, and Jesse Daniels, both of Niles, were ushers.
Ceremony music at the bride’s childhood church was provided by vocal soloist Michelle Gruver of Edwardsburg, who sang “How Beautiful,” and “This is the Day the Lord has Made” while organist Sue Sweet, Watervliet, accompanied on the piano. Trumpet soloist Steve Gruver, also of Edwardsburg, played “Trumpet Voluntary,” accompanied by organist Sweet as the bride’s father walked her down the aisle. This was the first time Michelle, elementary music teacher in Edwardsburg, and Steve Gruver, band director in Niles, performed together as a couple.
Love was celebrated throughout the day – beginning at the ceremony with the bride’s longtime friend Pam Shuck, Humble, Tex., and her reading of First Corinthians 13, “Love is patient…” and Rev. Reese’s heartfelt words on married life to the Lake Michigan view reception decorated with a display of guests’ wedding photos, tables named after love songs (“L-O-V-E,” “Crazy Love” and “Power of Love), and the anniversary dance for married couples.
Following the wedding ceremony, the bridal party traveled to their reception at The Veranda in St. Joseph, in a wedding trolley complete with white paper lanterns and dance music, furnished by the best man.
After a wedding trip to Chicago, the couple are living in Granger.
The bride is a Watervliet High School graduate, and has a bachelor of arts degree in education from Nazareth College, and a master of science degree in reading from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She is an elementary literacy specialist and an English as a second language teacher for Edwardsburg Public Schools.
The groom is a graduate of Niles High School and attended Davenport College. He is a finished carpenter, and is employed at Vision Machine Works in Mishawaka.