Sharing a New Blog: "Gehio" -- "Geocaching+History+Ohio = A Tour Of Ohio Valley History"

"Gehio" -- "Geocaching+History+Ohio = A Tour Of Ohio Valley History"  is a new blog featured here under the category of "Miscellaneous Blogs of  Interest" in the right-hand column of links.  

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Thanking "Gehio" for including a new blog post about "Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites in Ohio" and a link to this blog in the nice listing of links.

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Below is a sampling of the cemetery-related blog posts to date for you to explore from "Gehio":

"This Blog"

Gehio: Segregated Soldiers in Hillcrest Cemetery

Feb 08, 2012

Geocaching sometimes takes me to interesting and forgotten places that pique my curiosity after scratching the surface a bit. Hillcrest Cemetery, a Cincinnati OH cemetery on Sutton Road in Anderson Township is one of those ...

http://gehio.blogspot.com/

Gehio: Brown's body & the 1st Purple Heart

Sep 15, 2011

His body was thought to be about 1000 ft away next to some old railroad tracks in what was the once weed filled and trash strewn forgotten Fulton Cemetery with no legible tombstones. I actually tried to locate Fulton once to ...

http://gehio.blogspot.com/

Gehio: Geocaching+History+Ohio = Gehio

Dec 19, 2013

Cemetery geocaches are some of my favorite hides, especially historical cemeteries. In November 2013 I saw a string of old cemeteries that had no geocaches so I changed that. Brethren Historic Cemetery This cemetery has ...

http://gehio.blogspot.co.uk/

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"Cemetery geocaches are some of my favorite hides, especially historical cemeteries. In November 2013 I saw a string of old cemeteries that had no geocaches so I changed that."

Brethren Historic Cemetery 
This cemetery has a section with headstones moved from another cemetery but they left the bodies behind.

Willsey Historic Cemetery
One of the many Colerain Township historical cemeteries.

Asbury Historic Cemetery and Chapel
I wasn't able to find much information about this old cemetery and chapel other than it dates back to 1836, the original chapel was destroyed in a storm and was rebuilt in 1868.

 *****

While browsing through the blog posts found on  "Gehio" you'll discover a nice variety of Ohio-themed topics that make for fascinating historical reading; and along the way learn more about the fun connections you can find from  Geocaching.   

Ohio Cemetery Law Task Force Meeting Minutes - August 20, 2014 - Draft

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OHIO CEMETERY LAW TASK FORCE
77 S. High Street, 22nd Floor Hearing Room 
August 20, 2014
Columbus, OH 43215-6133 10:00 a.m.
___________________________________________________

I.  Preliminary Matters

Co-chair Noonan called the meeting to order.
Roll Call: Laura Monick conducted roll call.

Present: Stephen George, Hon. Keith G. Houts, Hon. Cory Noonan, Anne M. Petit, Patrick Piccininni, Jay Russell, David Snyder, James Turner, James Wright.
Excused: Daniel Applegate, Dr. John N. Low

Review of Meeting Minutes: Co-chair Noonan opened the floor for discussion of the minutes of the July 25, 2014 meeting of the Ohio Cemetery Law Task Force. There being no discussion Mr. Turner moved to approve the minutes of the July 25th meeting. Mr. Piccininni seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

II. Old Business

Co-chair Noonan opened the floor for discussion of old business.

Co-chair Petit introduced a letter from Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Administrator Steve Buehrer as addressed to Timothy C. Long, Ohio Cemetery Association Legislative Agent and Attorney, relating to the scope rating of cemetery salespeople. The task force discussed the complexity of the issue and that they were encouraged by the information that there is now an open dialogue concerning the issue. Mr. Russell then moved that the task force should note in the final report that this is an area of concern for cemeteries due to the impact of scope ratings on operating expenses. Mr. Turner seconded the motion. 

The motion passed unanimously.

The discussion was then turned over to Mr. Turner to explain the process being followed by the sub-committee at their August 8th meeting. The sub-committee also met prior to this meeting to begin editing the initial draft as sent to the task force members. The task force then discussed the structural outline for the final report, the appropriate sections for topics that will be laid out in the final report and where more detail was needed.

The task force then moved on to the natural burial definition. The task force previously agreed to a definition and was left with discussing the proper location for the definition in the Revised Code. For consistency, the task force agreed that the definition should be placed in Ohio Revised Code section 1721.21 with the other cemetery definitions. This also requires a revision to Ohio Revised Code section 4767.01(A) to add the term “natural burial.”

Finally, the task force touched on the topic of tax advantaged easements and set aside programs. Research conducted by Mr. Russell found that Indiana has a process to lower the tax valuation for a cemetery on private property to $1/acre but that the process included the need for a professional survey and that this was often cost prohibitive to the landowner. Co-chair Petit found information that Michigan repealed their law but there was no documented reasoning behind the repeal. Finally, Co-chair Petit introduced information from Washington State concerning their law permitting non-profit preservation and maintenance corporations. 

The task force concluded that their recommendation should include information concerning the
availability of numerous options that could help address the topic of historic cemeteries on
private property.

III. New Business

Co-chair Noonan brought the task force into new business and discussion began on the limited
time left for the task force to complete their final report. A final review was made of the report
draft provided to the task force members; including whether there were any topics discussed by
the task force but not included in the current draft.

The task force then deliberated on the distribution of the final report upon completion. Mr.
George moved that a hard copy of the report be provided to the Governor, the Speaker of the
House and the President of the Senate with an electronic version of the report being sent to the
rest of the General Assembly. Mr. Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.

Upon discussion of the next meeting date the task force agreed to meet on September 19th at
10:00am. However, both co-chairs were unavailable on that day. Mr. Piccininni moved to
designate a chair pro-tempore for the September 19th meeting. Mr. Turner seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Turner nominated Mr. Piccininni as chair pro-tempore for the September 19th task force
meeting. Co-chair Petit seconded the motion. Mr. Piccininni accepted the nomination. The
motion passed unanimously.

The sub-committee asked that any ideas or corrections to the draft report be submitted by the
task force members by September 1st and that anything submitted be related to discussions
already held in order to help keep the drafting process moving in a timely manner. After those
revisions, the target for a final draft being sent to the task force members is September 12th.

Next Meeting Dates:
September 19th at 10:00 am

IV. Adjournment

Mr. Turner moved to adjourn. Mr. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.

Samuel Cunningham (1778 - 1845) - Find A Grave Memorial

Edit: Samuel Cunningham (1778 - 1845) - Find A Grave Memorial

 (Photo above of the Samuel Cunningham gravestone from Scott Andersen - August 25, 2014)

From Scott Andersen:

"Venus and I went to the Dean cemetery yesterday. We worked on the Cunningham stones there. One that I had reset last fall moved substantially over the winter, and we fixed that. I also repaired the foot stone of Robert Cunningham, and put it in place.

We reset Samuel Cunningham's stone. It was the first I ever found at the cemetery. It was upright, but obviously sunken into the ground. You can see in the picture that it had sunk to the point that about half of it was below the earth. Considering that these were originally set with about a third of the stone below ground, it had moved quite a bit. It was also tangled up pretty good in the roots of a large tree. We had the tree removed last fall. Roots; still there and full of fight! Venus also located a footstone, or part of it, for John Milton Hare, and one for Mary Lawhead."

D2 Biological Solution

Update from Casey Winningham - The Stephen S. Smith Gravestone is Now Completed and Ready to be Installed at the Hill Cemetery in Sandusky County, Ohio

Thanking Casey Winningham of "Past Times Remembered" for sharing the latest photograph of his new gravestones for Susannah Smith, and her husband Stephen S. Smith, that he recently hand carved to replicate and replace their badly damaged originals. 

In the previous blog post, Casey mentioned that the gravestone for Stephen S. Smith had not yet been completed.  

Now these gracefully carved limestone markers, so skillfully created by Casey down to the last detail, silently await their installations at the Hill Cemetery in Sandusky County, Ohio.  

2 Arrested Following Thefts From Veterans Graves In Perry County - NBC4: Columbus, Ohio News, Weather, and Sports (WCMH-TV)

2 Arrested Following Thefts From Veterans Graves In Perry County - NBC4: Columbus, Ohio News, Weather, and Sports (WCMH-TV)

History | Cincinnati Magazine

History | Cincinnati Magazine

"Dead to the World"

"Posted on 8/8/2014 7:00:00 AM by Linda Vaccariello

Sure, our civic forefathers are six feet under. But the notables of the city are still plenty lively in Phil Nuxhall’s Stories in the Grove. That’s right: Spring Grove Cemetery’s historian is now a brand! And no wonder. Nobody knows the oddities, intrigue, and tall tales behind the names in the city’s vast, beautiful graveyard better."

Indiana Stone Carver Casey Winningham Creates New Gravestones to Replace Damaged Originals at Hill Cemetery in Sandusky County, Ohio.

From Casey Winningham of "Past Times Remembered":

"Here is a replacement stone I made for one that was in a Cemetery in Sandusky County, Ohio.

The original was destroyed by a car accident. Luckily we have good photos taken before the accident. 

I was able to match the 5 different type styles in the lettering. Now for her husband's stone which met the same fate."

 Above:

 Indiana Carver, Casey Winningham, standing with his newly carved Susannah Smith limestone grave marker.

Click HERE to view the Susannah Smith memorial on "Find A Grave" that includes a photograph of the original gravestone prior to the accident that destroyed it. 

Click HERE to view the Stephen S. Smith memorial on "Find A Grave" that includes a photograph of the original gravestone in poor shape even before the accident.  He was Susannah's husband.

Both burials are at the Hill Cemetery in Ballville Township, Sandusky County, Ohio. 

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The cemetery is also known as:  Hill - Chapel Hill - Hills Corners - Salem and appears on page 576 of the publication:  

"Ohio Cemeteries 1803 - 2003", K. Roger Troutman, Editor, published by the Ohio Genealogical Society.  

Announcing "Cemetery Workshop - "Restoration 101" at the Harmar Cemetery in Marietta, Ohio - September 20, 2014 - 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. - Misti Spillman

Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.

Harmar Cemetery, 119 Wood Street, Marietta, OH

Marietta Cemeteries Coming Alive updated the event photo.

Marietta Cemeteries Coming Alive

Registration form for Misti's workshop.

Marietta Cemeteries Coming Alive created the event.

"Join Marietta Cemeteries Coming Alive (MCCA) as we welcome gravestone restorer Misti Spillman. She will be conducting a workshop for beginners who are interested in cemetery restoration. The cemetery workshop will take place at Harmar Cemetery, 119 Wood Street, Marietta from 9am to 3pm. The cost is $25. The workshop will focus on cemetery preservation techniques, including fixing breaks, resetting, cleaning and how to mix stone dust to fill in cracks. The entire workshop will be spent in the cemetery, where participants will gain more hands-on experience repairing stones. Lunch is not provided but there are numerous restaurants in the area.

Misti Spillman has a background in researching and restoring cemeteries. She worked as an AmeriCorps member at the Ohio History Connection and created a cemetery toolkit as a guide for people who want to restore cemeteries. She also serves as a reference and liaison to numerous museums and historical societies throughout Ohio.

Registration is restricted to 20 people for Misti Spillman’s workshop on Sept. 20th. Applicants will be notified that they have a place. Other applications will be held on a waiting list. If sending by mail, please include your check with the application. If sending by email, mail check separately to Marietta Cemeteries Coming Alive. We cannot accept payment by credit card. Make checks payable to Marietta Cemeteries Coming Alive and mail to the address above. If your payment is not received by September 5th, your place will be offered to the person on the waiting list. No refunds are possible after Friday, September 12th. If the workshop is cancelled because of weather, refunds will be given. 

Further information: please contact Misti Spillman at Spillman.4@wright.edu or 937-489-1369."

Complete registration and email to chrispainter1966@gmail.com
or detach and mail with payment to:
Marietta Cemeteries Coming Alive
Attn: Chris Painter
105 Cityview Avenue
Marietta, OH 45750

PLEASE NOTE: This is a beginner’s course to learn how to properly restore and reset gravestones. Cleaning starter kits will be available on the day of the workshop to purchase, along with Marietta Cemeteries Coming Alive t-shirts.

Paying A Return Visit to Walnut Creek (Quaker) Cemetery, Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio

I paid another visit to Walnut Creek (Quaker) Cemetery in Fayette County a few weeks ago to check on my Limes and Doster gravesites.  The cemetery grounds were a bit better maintained than what I witnessed during my visit one year ago.  Dead grass and weeds were not piled up high obscuring  gravestones in the older section.  

There was still some weed overgrowth between many of the gravestones, especially those in close groups -- most markers which have long been in need of one type of repair or another including cleaning, repairing, and re-setting -- none of which will ever be done by the trustee responsible for the cemetery's maintenance since the only legal responsibility the township has is to mow the grounds and hopefully rake up afterward at least once or twice a year.  

It is anyone's guess the number of gravestones at Walnut Creek Cemetery that have now sunken out of sight.  

I did some cleaning with water and Orvus soap on the Athaliah (Doster) Limes gravestone, as well as the Levi and Mariah (Doster) Ellis gravestones. (See below.)  

Fortunately, the William Limes (War of 1812 veteran) grave marker is a replacement and did not require any more work than brushing off the dirt and rinsing with water.   

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Above:

Athaliah Doster Limes' grave marker after cleaning with Orvus soap. 

Above:

Athaliah (Doster) Limes' grave marker after cleaning with Orvus soap and her husband, William Limes'  War of 1812 marker to the left.

(Also close up view of William Limes' marker below.) 

Above:

Levi Ellis' gravestone after cleaning and removal of dark orange biological growth.

Below:

 Mariah (Doster) Ellis' gravestone after cleaning and removal of dark orange biological growth.

Above: 
George Washington Knedler's gravestone

Above: 
A grouping of stones that include those for George Washington Knedler, Sarah Binegar, and Evangeline Ellis, that need cleaning, repairing, and resetting, and much better clean up of encroaching weeds around them. 

Above:
View of a wired together small gravestone that needs cleaning.  I was not able to read the inscription.

Above:
John Doster's broken grave marker lying sideways on the ground near the William Limes marker.  

 

Above:
Sarah Binegar's gravestone sitting upside down in a group of gravestones. 

 Above:
Evangeline Ellis' badly deteriorated grave marker.

Sharing Random Photographs of Reber Hill Cemetery - Walnut Township - Pickaway County, Ohio

 Above and Below:

 Views of the Wesley and Martha Ann (Miller) Limes monument.  

Located next to it is the slant marker for Sherman (spelled incorrectedly as "Shermen") Limes who was one of their sons.

Above:

Close up view of the Civil War service inscription:

 66th Regiment, Company "H" O.V.I. (Champaign County, Ohio) added later for my great-great grandfather, Wesley Limes, on the middle base of the monument (callef a "die") erected for him and his wife, Martha Ann (Miller) Limes.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Stitak&GSfn=Mary&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=52610569&df=all&

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Stitak&GSfn=Mary&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=52610569&df=all&

Remembering my Aunt Mary (Zagorsky) Stitak on what would have been her 102nd birthday today. 

A Small Old Photo of an Unknown Receiving Vault at an Ohio Cemetery is a Mystery No More!

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Sometimes we buy an item we didn't expect to find that at first glance doesn't seem to have too much merit but yet for some odd reason it speaks to us in unusual ways. That was the case for me when I recently saw a small dusty and dog-eared photo at a Washington Court House antique shop (scanned image posted below).  

Right away I noted the handwriting on the front: "Vault in Wash CH Cemetery" which I thought was kind of neat.  But when I turned it over, I saw just one handwritten word "wrong."  I thought well this is a mystery worth my time!  The photograph's price was only $1.00 so I knew I wouldn't feel too cheated if I could not unravel its mystery. 

After buying the photograph, I left the store and took a drive around the Washington Cemetery in Washington Court House hoping to prove the author's claim written on the front of it.  I left the cemetery defeated. 

So, afterward I decided to post the receiving vault photo's scanned image on the Facebook Group "Preserving Ohio's Cemeteries" asking for help identifying where it is located.  Within minutes, two kind group members posted that they thought it is a photo of the receiving vault at the Marion Cemetery in Marion Ohio.  

After conducting careful comparisons between the newer photographs I had seen online and the photograph I purchased, I felt that my photograph was indeed that of the Receiving Vault at the Marion Cemetery in Marion, Ohio.  

The darkened shadowy outline that can be seen directly behind the front gray stone with its gated doors, is the rest of the vault topped by a large cross -- all covered in vine type overgrowth. 

(Attribution: "Marion Cemetery Receiving Vault" by Nyttend - Own work. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marion_Cemetery_Receiving_Vault.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Marion_Cemetery_Receiving_Vault.jpg)

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But that is not the end to this story.  There is much more yet to be learned about this old vault's history.  I discovered its documented connection to President Warren G. Harding and his wife, Florence.  This receiving vault was their temporary resting place from 1923 to 1927.

Furthermore, thanks to an Eagle Scout Project in 1993 to restore the Receiving Vault, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places before the end of 1995.

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My dollar investment led to receiving unexpected dividends that for me are priceless! 

Greenfield's Old Burying Ground Benefits from Preservation Measures Taken by Historical Society Volunteers

It was my pleasure to visit the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield (Highland County, Ohio) this past Saturday (August 9, 2014) during the time Greenfield Historical Society volunteers  Scott and Venus Andersen; Harold Schmidt; Patsy Smith; Gloria and Jim Losey; John King; Shirley Shields; and Phil Harewood worked individually and in teams to clean, repair, and re-set as needed a number of gravestones in order to preserve not only the markers themselves, but their inscriptions for future generations. 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

**From the Greenfield Historical Society's website**:

 

Click HERE for photographs of the May 24, 2014 Old Burying Ground Preservation Work Session # 1 

Click HERE for photographs of the June 22, 2014 Old Burying Ground Preservation Work Session # 2

Click HERE for photographs of the August 9, 2014 Old Burying Ground Preservation Work Session # 3

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Below this post is a permanent album of my photographs taken during this third session of the group's ongoing project and presents a short visual of unfolding progress as they moved along from one gravestone to the next to address the condition issues of each one.  

(Photograph above courtesy of Scott Andersen - August 9, 2014)

Announcing Greenfield's Third Annual Cemetery Stroll - Sunday, August 17, 2014 - 1:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.

The Greenfield Historical Society in Greenfield (Highland County, Ohio) has announced its third annual Cemetery Stroll coming up on Sunday, August 17, 2014 from 1:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. at the Greenfield Cemetery.

This year local Civil War veterans will be honored.

Please click HERE to learn more !

Local historian succeeds in getting gravestones for all known Summit County veterans of War of 1812 - Local - Ohio

Local historian succeeds in getting gravestones for all known Summit County veterans of War of 1812 - Local - Ohio

Upcoming Cemetery Preservation Workshop - Saturday, September 20, 2014 - Harmar Cemetery, Marietta, Ohio with Misti Spillman

Announcing an upcoming Cemetery Preservation Workshop - "Restoration 101" at the Harmar Cemetery in Marietta, Ohio presented by Misti Spillman on Saturday, September 20, 2014 from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.  

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This workshop is part of the "Marietta Cemeteries Coming Alive" Project. 

Spotlighting Leona L. Gustafson, the Union County Ohio WPA Cemetery Plat Maps, and The Union County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society

If you have ever searched the Internet for resources for Central Ohio cemeteries and gravesites then you have surely found the websites of Leona L. Gustafson.  We are indebted to Leona for all of her tireless work that she has shared with us.  

****
From Leona:

"I'm the president, newsletter editor, and "acting" programs chairperson for the Union County Chapter, OGS."

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For me, Leona's links on her website have been a godsend, and I can spend a whole day just browsing through them. 

Below are a sampling of the main categories and links you will find: 

"Cemetery Photos - Counties Bordering Franklin"
Delaware County Cemetery Photos	Fairfield County Cemetery Photos
Licking County Cemetery Photos	Madison County Cemetery Photos
Pickaway County Cemetery Photos	Union County, Ohio Cemetery Photos

 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Below is the most recent update to the page for WPA Cemetery Plat Maps for Union County, Ohio.  

Included are links for Leona L. Gustafson's website:  "Franklin County, Ohio Gravestone Photos &c.", and the Union County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society.  

Also included is a separate link to access the scanned images of Union County Ohio's WPA Cemetery Plat maps. 

**Update:  August 5, 2014

From Leona Gustafson:

Link below to Union County WPA Cemetery Plat Maps online through the Union County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS):

http://www.uccogs.org/unionwpamaps.htm

Kathryn F. Hamilton Wiest (1909 - 2004) - Find A Grave Memorial

Kathryn F. Hamilton Wiest (1909 - 2004) - Find A Grave Memorial

Thanking "Find A Grave" photo volunteer, Rebecca Ellis, for taking and posting the monument photograph for Kathryn F. Hamilton Wiest.  

Arrest made in New Providence Presbyterian Cemetery vandalism - The Rogersville Review: News

Arrest made in New Providence Presbyterian Cemetery vandalism - The Rogersville Review: News

This is in Tennessee, however, the destruction can happen anywhere.  This is a follow up story about the arrest made in this case.

Ohio Cemetery Task Force Meeting Minutes - June 27, 2014 - Final

June 27, 2014

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE OHIO CEMETERY LAW TASK FORCE

77 S. High Street, 22nd Floor Hearing Room

Columbus, OH 43215-6133 9:30 a.m.
______________________________________

I. Preliminary Matters

Co-chair Petit called the meeting to order.

Roll Call: Laura Monick conducted roll call.

Present: Daniel Applegate, Stephen George, Hon. Keith G. Houts, Dr. John N. Low, Anne M. Petit, Patrick Piccininni, Jay Russell, David Snyder, James Turner, James Wright

Excused: Hon. Cory Noonan

Review of Meeting Minutes: Co-Chair Petit opened the floor for discussion of the minutes of the June 6, 2014 meeting of the Ohio Cemetery Law Task Force. There being no discussion Mr. Turner moved to approve the minutes of the June 6th meeting. Mr. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed  unanimously.

II. Old Business

Co-Chair Petit opened the floor for discussion of old business.

Mr. Applegate arrived at 9:36 am. Mr. Piccininni arrived at 9:42 am.

The task force began with a discussion of criminal penalties; specifically desecration and vandalism. The conversation revolved around determining the desired outcomes from the task force’s eventual recommendations.

Discussion included looking at the reasons people might violate the statutes; the difference between felonies and misdemeanors and whether the task force wants to recommend a wider range of penalties for prosecutors versus increasing education for prosecutors on the cultural value of cemeteries/burial sites/monuments/memorials.

The task force then looked at prosecutorial discretion and how prosecutors determine the level of proof of a crime and whether prosecutors only look at the amount of damage the crime caused. The task force deliberated on whether prosecutors would take into consideration what a cemetery/burial site/monument/memorial was worth; the value of cultural and historical significance; the cost of fixing/replacing damaged property and the value of antiquities if any were involved in the crime.

The task force determined that specific recommendations on individual crimes would be difficult to come to a consensus on but that it would be important to provide general recommendations on criminal penalties involving cemeteries/burial sites/monuments/memorials.

The task force expressed frustration that the desecration and vandalism crimes occurring in cemeteries and burial sites are not being taken as seriously as they should be by prosecutors. The task force also indicated they strongly believe in the importance of education for prosecutors to draw more attention/thought on these crimes with respect to cemeteries/burials.

There was also great consideration given to providing prosecutors the latitude to charge a range of misdemeanor or felony for desecration in ORC 2927.11.

The task force concluded with the recommendation that educational outreach should be conducted from stakeholder groups such as the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission, Ohio Cemetery Association, Ohio Township Association, Ohio Municipal League, Genealogical Societies and the Ohio History Connection. Finally, the task force would begin drafting a descending grade of misdemeanors and felonies available for desecration with grading not based on cost alone.

The task force then moved on to a discussion of natural burial and the draft language created by Mr. Turner
and Ms. Monick. After a brief discussion Mr. Turner offered to work on re-wording the definition to make it
more general with respect to vaults and chemicals.

The task force then began deliberating about cemeteries on private land versus registered, currently operating
cemeteries with respect to the current draft of ORC 4767.12. The discussion progressed to burial sites
versus archeological features, such as mounds. After a brief discussion it was determined that language
would be drafted with respect to burial sites; incorporating NAGPRA standards and a reporting process when a burial site is discovered.

Mr. George left the meeting at 11:15 am.

III. New Business
Co-chair Petit brought the task force into new business. The task force began with the issue brought forth by
the Ohio Cemetery Association with respect to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) ratings of
cemetery salespeople. Conversation revolved around the job of salespeople that go out to a site in the
cemetery to show a consumer a specific burial location and the job of maintenance workers that are
conducting physical labor out in the cemetery grounds. It was acknowledged that this is a costly issue for
cemeteries but in the Ohio Cemetery Association’s previous discussions with BWC, the agency was not
inclined to modify the rating. Mr. Applegate noted that the Association also had suggested that BWC create
a new rating for salespeople that go out into the cemetery versus true office staff.

The task force determined that they would send an invitation to BWC to come speak to task force about this issue so that the task force has a clearer understanding of the issue from both the professionals’ and agency’s perspectives.

The next topic discussed was the Ohio Township Association’s (OTA) request that statutory language be
introduced to permit townships to sell merchandise. Mr. Applegate moved that the task force will include a
recommendation that townships be permitted to sell merchandise. Mr. Russell seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.

Finally, the task force deliberated on the OTA’s request to have the date restriction from ORC 517.07
removed. Co-chair Petit made a motion and then an amended motion on the topic with a second on both
from Mr. Turner. However, with additional discussion, both the motion, amended motion and both seconds
were withdrawn. The task force then requested that Co-chair Petit and Ms. Monick work on drafting motions for the task force to consider at the next meeting regarding this matter.

Next Meeting Dates:

July 25, 2014 at 9:30am.

IV. Adjournment
Co-chair Petit moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:46 am.

Spotlighting a Once Missing Gravestone for Jane Patterson buried at Madison - Truro Cemetery in Madison Township, Franklin County, Ohio

Thanking Brent Nimmo for bringing to my attention that the once presumed lost gravestone of Jane Patterson, wife of William Patterson, buried at the Madison - Truro Cemetery in Franklin County, Ohio, is missing no more.  There had been reports posted online that her gravestone could not be found. 

 Brent has recently re-located the gravestone and posted a newer photo of it on "Find A Grave." 

(See photo below)

Brent created a Madison - Truro Virtual Cemetery on "Find A Grave" called "Madison Truro Stones Found Buried" and the "found stones" now number 79!  

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Congratulations Brent for your job well done in discovering such an impressive number of gravestones! Because of your efforts, these gravesites are forgotten no more!