Cemetery expansion site nearing completion

Cemetery expansion site nearing completion

Bellville, near Mansfield, Ohio.

Sharing the latest news from Gravestone Transformations of Circleville, Ohio

Sharing this Facebook Page from Gravestone Transformations of Circleville, Ohio; a company that does gravestone preservation work throughout Ohio.

Tackling the larger multi-piece monuments can be tricky work requiring equipment that is appropriate for the task at hand.

In Ohio, we don't have many professionals who handle this type of work.

Please keep in mind that monument company workers' expertise lies with handling newer granite monuments.

The older marble, limestone and sandstone monuments require more attention and greater carefulness due to the age and fragile nature of the monument.
Truly, there are more cemeteries in need of immediate gravestone care in Ohio, and throughout America, than there are people properly trained, experienced, who conduct their work skillfully and honor their commitments,

AND

who always adhere to the Do No Harm best practices set forth by the NCPTT to handle their needs.

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Check out the post from July 30, 2019 for photographs and further information about cleaning and repairing a multi-piece monument.

Sharing the news of the passing of Jewell Evans, widow of Robert "Bob" Evans

Sharing this sad news of the death of Jewell Evans the widow of Robert "Bob" Evans.

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This announcement comes from the "Columbus Dispatch" newspaper's website.

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Jewell Evans on Find A Grave.

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Bob Evans Restaurant's website

Exploring Saint Anthony Cemetery in Milan, Erie County, Ohio

Sharing scenes from a recent but short visit to the Saint Anthony Cemetery, which is adjacent to the Milan Cemetery in Milan, Erie County, Ohio.  

This is not a large cemetery but one where a visitor can easily enjoy an interesting time touring the almost hidden away grounds.  Be sure to stop and read the plaques, and markers; and reflect upon the awe-inspiring beautiful religious statues and towering Crucifix that make Saint Anthony Cemetery distinctly remarkable. 

There is only one mausoleum at the Saint Anthony Cemetery and it is a prominent one erected for the Fries, Roberts, and Taylor families who are resting in peace in this majestic looking domed structure that one would normally expect to find in a much larger cemetery. 

On my visit, I quickly realized though that the mausoleum was spared by just a few feet from being seriously damaged by a large tree limb that had come down during a recent storm that had not yet been cleared away from the area. 

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The popular blog "Graveyard Rabbit of Sandusky Bay" by Dorene Orshoski Paul, featured the Valentine Fries Family Mausoleum in a blog post of August 30, 2011.  Please be sure to check it out!

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Also, the "Catholic Architecture and History of Toledo" Blog featured the Fries, Roberts, and Taylor Family Mausoleum, among notable statues and monuments in a May 17, 2011 blog post.  

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Jesus statue for Catherine Cozzie

(Above)
Bronze plaque affixed to the back

of the slant marker for 

Edward C. Kaczor

Pearl Harbor Survivor

 

 

Valentine A. Fries

Harvey Watkins Roberts

Irma Brockett Fries Roberts

Getting a good glimpse of the Pioneer Cemetery in South Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio - July 14, 2019

Sharing a brief but revealing glimpse of some of the more strikingly elegant markers of their day that are at the Pioneer Cemetery in South Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio.    
This tiny cemetery also has the alternate name of "Old Village Cemetery" on Find A Grave.

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The Pioneer Cemetery is owned by the Village of South Amherst.
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Find A Grave's map shows that the Pioneer Cemetery is located on "South Lake Street," which it is, however the road sign at the intersection of Main Street - which is State Route 113 also known as Telegraph Road - is labeled as "Pyle South Amherst Road." 
I did not see a South Lake Street sign at the intersection.  Thus, if you are heading east on Main Street you would turn right at this intersection and drive a short distance where this small cemetery is on the right side of the sloping roadway.  

Only a rather narrow strip of grass outside of the old rusting wrought iron fence provides space where a car could be parked lengthwise and kept off the roadway.  Private residences flank the cemetery. 

 (Above)

I believe this marker to be for:

 Nancy Loghry Santee

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(Above)

Close up view of Harry Redington's marker

 (Above)
Redington markers left to right:
Harry Redington, 
Lydia Redington

and Polly Redington

 (Above)

The Pope markers

Joseph, Sarah, 
& Benjamin Pope
Visible are the remains of a stone border
denoting this family's plot. 

(Above)

Ezekial Remington's marker

and

the marker for Elizabeth Pickett

 
(Above)
Infant marker for Cora Worden

My thoughts:

The Pioneer Cemetery in South Amherst certainly needs a great amount of  TLC; much more than it has been getting.  
There are some markers with evidence of previous older repairs that are now failing that may not have been appropriate for them.  

I would encourage the Village of South Amherst to take serious note of the severe deteriorating condition of their town's early cemetery. 
A sound plan of action and participation would include:
 Bringing about greater awareness to the Pioneer Cemetery's plight through the local media and town hall type meetings. 
Enlisting volunteers from local community groups to spend some time cleaning up, and thus saving their pioneer cemetery and its history from further decay.
 Seeking funding for repairing and resetting the grave markers.
Hiring a professional whose expertise lies with preserving older cemeteries in particular.
  IMPORTANT!
Considering only a conservator who adheres to Do No Harm" best practices of the NCPTT (National Center for Preservation Technology and Training).  One who affirms that they do NOT use abrasive/aggressive tools (i.e. NO power tools such as Nyalox brushes on power drills or power washers!) to clean gravestones. 

A wealth of local history abounds at the South Amherst Pioneer Cemetery.  History that highlights the lives of the early families of this area that is far too important to risk losing.
There is no question that protecting and preserving the hallowed ground and gravesites of South Amherst's Pioneer Cemetery stands paramount; and its needs can no longer be ignored.

"Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead, and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land and their loyalty to high ideals."

By Sir William Gladstone

Spotlighting the July 15 2019 Old Burying Ground work session - Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio

Volunteers continued their work this morning, July 15, 2019, at the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio. 

John King, of the Greenfield Historical Society, who is among the chief volunteers who has been steadily working at the "OBG" since 2014, also uploads photographs taken during the work sessions onto the "Past Events" Page of the society's website.  

There are several links to the Greenfield Historical Society's Pages here on the left side bar of this blog.  

 

Be sure to check out the calendar to learn when the next work session is scheduled if you are planning to join the volunteers!

  Scott Andersen, Venus Andersen, John King, and Michael Lee Anderson were working today until noon as the temperatures soared higher during the afternoon.  Jackie Doles and Gloria Losey are also long-time volunteers.  

This group of hearty volunteers from the Greenfield Historical Society, and all who have assisted them at various work sessions since they started this preservation project in 2014, have been totally transforming the entire cemetery one grave marker at a time.  After almost six years of work, their improvements are quite apparent all across the landscape of this early Ohio burial ground!

Spotlighting the Evergreen Cemetery in South Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio

The Evergreen Cemetery in charming South Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio, is a unique Buckeye State cemetery that, yes, lives up to its name!  Evergreen trees predominantly tower over the cemetery in just about every direction you look. 

The array of other distinctive features are ones not found in most cemeteries its size.  

The presence of the steep sloping hillside quickly diverts a visitor's attention to the right after arriving beyond the green main street marker below an American flag, and a bit further is the overhead aluminum entrance name sign. 

And, there are several signs to read! 

The largest one lists eight cemetery rules.  

Below it are the speed limit of 10 mph sign and another sign warning of uneven ground, rock, holes, ruts and debris.  Good reminders to keep visitors safe and aware of their surroundings!

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Also, the main roadway splits prior to reaching these signs with the left side for the up direction of entering the actual grounds of the Evergreen Cemetery, and the one to the right is for traffic leaving the cemetery.  

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The Evergreen cemetery link on the website for South Amherst

The Evergreen Cemetery on Ohio GenWeb

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Ethel Marie Rader Geller Yeldem – Telling Her Story

Ethel Marie Rader Geller Yeldem

Telling Her Story

of

a mother so distraught she mercilessly murdered 7 of her children and ended her own life soon afterward

By

Linda Jean Limes Ellis

July, 2019

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The above photograph was published

in several newspapers in Ohio

and across the United States

 

Ethel Marie Rader was born January 12, 1885 in Gahanna, Franklin County, Ohio to Peter William Radar and Mary Bobb Rader.

Ethel married Charles Otto Geller on New Year’s Day, 1908 in Franklin County, Ohio.  His parents were Jacob H. Geller, Jr. and Eleanor Elizabeth Patterson Geller – both buried at Sheep Pen Cemetery in Madison Township, Highland County, Ohio. Sheep Pen Cemetery is also known as the Limes, Old Limes, or Gustin Cemetery. 

Personally, I have several collateral line Limes ancestors buried at Sheep Pen Cemetery, and because of that connection, I have an interest in the lives of others buried at Sheep Pen Cemetery.  

Charles and Ethel Rader had five children during their marriage.:

Charles M. Geller – born in 1908 – little is known about Charles M. at this time. His name as Charles M. appears in both the 1910 and 1920 census records for Franklin County, Ohio.

Ernest Eldon Geller born in August of 1910

FamilySearch record for Ernest Eldon Geller

Margaret Ann Geller Lightfoot born on June 18, 1912

Ervan Reed Geller August 9, 1914

Vernon L. Geller born 1917:

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1918 and 1919:

Ethel’s dizzyingly downward spiral began after the tragic unexpected loss of her husband, Charles Otto Geller, at age 34, on April 18, 1918.   He was a night fireman who died due to heart disease while working at the Jeffrey Manufacturing Plant in Columbus, Ohio where they lived.  She found herself a single mother with 5 young children to care for and raise.

Ethel Geller married rather hastily again on March 8, 1919 to a man apparently who had entered her life and shown her the kind of sympathy she felt she most needed at the time; but a stranger unfortunately she knew little about who he really was or what happened in his past life.  In due time, more about him would be revealed.

1922:

It is important to note, another side of Ethel Marie Rader Geller Yeldem became public in 1922 when it appears she regained stability enough to become involved with other elements that she encountered; even taking extra steps to help others she didn’t know.:

From the “Columbus Evening Dispatch” – September 8, 1922:

“The Dispatch Mailbag”

“WHO IS THE OWNER?”

“To the Editor of the Dispatch”

“Sir:  At the southwest exit of the fair grounds on Monday evening, Aug. 28, at about 10 o’clock, as I was stepping on a street car I found a spectacle case.  On examining it I found it to contain a valuable pair of spectacles.  I have followed up several ads for lost glasses in vain, so have come to the conclusion that they were lost by an out-of-town fair visitor.  I would be only too glad to return them if the owner can be found and am writing the Mail Bag in hopes the owner or  friends will see the letter and call for them.”

Mrs. Yeldem,  393 Belvidere Avenue

1925 and 1926:

However, 1925 and 1926, brought more unforeseen and profoundly sad events that greatly impacted Ethel’s life.

Her 10 month old infant died of cholera on July 25, 1925, Walter Yeldem, whom she had with her second husband Darby “Darb” Yeldem, who later the Columbus Dispatch news reports revealed his real surname was Medley. Yeldem was Medley spelled backwards. 

Then Ethel’s world was shaken with the fact that her second husband had committed the unthinkable criminal act of assaulting  her only daughter from her marriage to Charles Otto Geller, then 13-year old Mildred Geller. Furthermore, various newspaper reports identify Darby Yeldem as a “Negro” or being “colored”.  In one article it is stated that he "claims to be an Indian.”:

From the “Columbus Dispatch”– April 6, 1926.:  Page 34.:

     “Darby Yeldem, age 41, 393 Belivdere Avenue was bound over to the grand jury under bond of $10,000 when arraigned in municipal court Tuesday morning, on a charge of assaulting his 13 year old step-daughter, Mildred Keeler.” *

(*The name “Keeler ” was incorrect for Ethel and the late Charles Otto Geller’s only daughter, who was Mildred Geller.)

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If the grief caused by these events were not enough to overcome, another child suffered serious injuries from an accident that could have easily taken her life, but she managed to survive.:

From the “Columbus Dispatch” – July 9, 1926.  Page 6.:

"CHILD HURT"

     “Running after a ball, which had rolled into the street in the path of an automobile, Thursday evening, Elaine Yeldem, eight-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Darby Yeldem of 393 Belvidere avenue suffered a fractured skull when struck by the machine, which was driven by Mrs. L. E. Scott of 347 Columbian avenue.  The regained consciousness Friday morning, according to a report from Mt. Carmel hospital, where she was taken by Mrs. Scott.  The girl also suffered the fracture of six ribs. 

     The accident happened when the child ran in front of the machine as it was turned from an alley near the Yeldem home, Mrs. Scott told police.”

1928:

Ethel’s father, Peter William Rader, died on May 25, 1928.  He was 68 years old.  Her mother, who was five years younger than her husband, survived.  She lived until 1939.  They were buried in the Mifflin Cemetery.

1930:

The year of 1930 actually started off well for Ethel’s oldest daughter, Mildred that should have made her mother quite proud of her.  

On the January 30, 1930, Page 10B of the Columbus Dispatch there is a feature spotlight story with the title: “Girl Makes Unusual School Record” which includes a pretty photograph of her sharing that she excelled in two categories at Columbus’ Central High School.: 

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The 1930 U.S. Census enumerated on April 10^th, 1930 with Ethel Yeldem who is listed as age 44 and divorced.  Her occupation is listed as “Laundress from home.”  She is still living at 393 Belvidere Avenue in Columbus with the following children.:  Elaine age 10, Eleanor age 9, Byron age 8, Wayne age 6, Alice and Alan (who were twins) age 3-3/12.  Also her Geller children of: Mildred age 17, Ervan age 15, and Vernon age 12.

Charles M. Geller who was Ethel’s oldest child from her first marriage is missing in the family’s census records and has yet to be found where he was living at that time.  However, her son Eldon, age 19, shows up in the 1930 U.S. Census living as an inmate at the Institution for the Feeble Minded located at 1601 West Broad Street in Columbus.

May 6, 1930

Tuesday, May 6, 1930, was the day Ethel Marie Radar Geller Yeldem decided she could no longer endure living and carried out the murders of 7 of her living 11 children because she felt they would be better off not enduring a lifetime of hardships as she had known; she also knew she would be joining them soon herself. She tried to commit suicide the same day but did not actually pass away until May 16th. 

The Columbus Evening Dispatch of course carried the news by May 7 with many follow up articles appearing well beyond. Newspapers across Ohio, and indeed the entire country, also gave extensive coverage of the news because it was so shocking and heartbreaking.  

 

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As might be expected, some readers of the Columbus Dispatch wasted no time writing up and sending in their comments of displeasure about the newspaper's explicit coverage of this sad event to the point of their overdoing it and being in poor taste in the reader's opinion.

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It has to be noted that despite the trauma she experienced in her early life, Mildred Ann Geller went on to lead a highly productive and successful life passing away at the age of 97 in 2010. :  

Obituary for Mildred Ann Geller Lightfoot.:

 https://www.loosefuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Mildred-Lightfoot/#!/Obituary

"Anderson – The family of Mildred A. Lightfoot sadly announces her passing on March 15, 2010, at the age of 97, at her daughter Jean's residence. Mildred was born June 18, 1912 in Columbus, Ohio, to Otto and Ethel Geller. 

She graduated from Central High School in Columbus, Ohio in 1930 and began further education at Ohio State University. 

She moved to Anderson in 1931 to attend St. John's School of Nursing, graduating with honors in 1934. 

During her nursing career, Mildred worked at St. John's Hospital. She enjoyed private duty nursing and was hired as the first Nurse at Madison Heights High School. She was the School Nurse from 1959 to 1967. Mildred and her husband, Clarence E. "Mike" Lightfoot both retired in 1967 and spent over 20 years traveling and spending winters in Clearwater, Florida. They were members of the First United Methodist Church. Mildred was a member of Phi Chi Epsilon Sorority, Tau Chapter, 60 years. She was also active in Bridge groups until two years ago and her wonderfully special "Pixie Club" until one month ago. Mildred is survived by three daughters, Molly Lightfoot Blom and husband Douglas of Eddyville, Kentucky, Jean Lightfoot Faris and husband Joe of Anderson, and Betty Lightfoot and husband Ed of Brownsburg; six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, C. Otto and Ethel Geller; husband, Clarence E. "Mike" Lightfoot, and brothers, Vernon and Ervin Geller. Services will be at 10:00 AM on March 19, 2010 at Robert D. Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory, South Chapel; 200 W. 53rd Street; Anderson with Rev. Kaye Casterline officiating. Cremation will follow and burial will be in Knox Chapel Cemetery in Rigdon on Friday, March 19, 2010 Visitation will be 3-7:00 pm, March 18, 2010 at the funeral home. Honorary Pallbearers will be Richard Lightfoot, Ervin "Mickey" Geller, Douglas Blom II, Joe Faris, Ed Beaver, Michael Blom, Douglas Blom III, J.T. Fletcher and Jeff Kasper. 
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospital Home Health Services Hospice and The Anderson Public Library.

www.LooseFuneralHomes.com"