Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites in the Great State of Ohio

Dedicated to cemetery preservation in the great state of Ohio


"A cemetery may be considered as abandoned when all or practically all of the bodies have been Removed therefrom and no bodies have been buried therein for a great many years, and the cemetery has been so long neglected as entirely to lose its identity as such, and is no longer known, recognized and respected by the public as a cemetery. 1953 OAG 2978."

Sunday, August 26, 2012

The Pioneer Cemetery in Port Jefferson, Shelby County, Ohio is Forgotten No More.

Click on title to read about how Rhonda and Rich Wade of Port Jefferson, Ohio are tackling the task of piecing together gravestones that have long been broken and forgotten; except by the Wades of course who are moving full steam ahead with their restoration project.  

They have been digging up stones as well as making sense of what is left of pieces of gravestones that were heaped in piles on the burial ground.  The Wade couple also have enlisted the help of others including local Boy Scouts.

This story is from "The Press-News" in Stark County, Ohio that was originally published in the "The Sidney Daily News" - Published: Melanie Speicher.

Currently, "Find A Grave" has 76 burials at the Pioneer Cemetery in Port Jefferson, Ohio.  There are 3 photo requests for gravestone photos for the following people buried at the Pioneer Cemetery:  

David Gerard, Florence Gerard, and Stephen Dye.  I encourage area "Find A Grave" photo volunteers to visit the Pioneer Cemetery as those grave markers may now be visible. 

I think the scope of the story and the accompanying picture showing Mr. Wade bending down and trying to match up pieces of stones in order to re-create each one as it once was, will certainly inspire many of us to maintain patience and perseverance no matter how daunting a cemetery restoration project may appear.  Making strides one step at a time and one tombstone piece at a time to ensure history will not be lost is one approach that works!