Sharing this link to the NBC4 TV story of July 28 2022 by reporter Jamie Ostroff - "Children told to pay to move parents' remains buried in wrong plots"

Sharing this heartbreaking story from NBC4 in Columbus, Ohio concerning glaring ongoing serious problems impacting lot owners at Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County. 

Tim Foor - the sexton for Fairview Memorial Park, which is located in Berlin Township, Delaware County, conducted a short yet eye-opening interview with the TV channel's reporter offering a sobering account of the situation and details of other existing problems at this once For-Profit cemetery whose owners ended up in jail.  

Afterward a Receiver was put in place for awhile, however, the problem situations at the cemetery continued and now Berlin Township has ownership of this Active/Registered cemetery.   

"Renewal for a Delaware County Cemetery" - November 13, 2021 - from the evening newscast by 10TV - WBNS news in Columbus, Ohio - Fairview Memorial Park.

Sharing this video that aired November 13, 2021 during the evening newscast.  

The video is short but it is definitely sweet!  It delivers much needed good news for Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County, Ohio.  The video is from 10TV news in Columbus - WBNS - reported by Richard Solomon. 

On Monday, November 15, 2021, at 10:00a.m. at Fairview Memorial Park, a check for $13,000 will be presented to the Berlin Township Trustees from the Ohio Department of Real Estate.  These funds are targeted for addressing the massive amount of repairs and other issues needing to be completed at Fairview Memorial Park. 
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There are 1,795 memorials for Fairview Memorial Park on Find A Grave. 

Judge issues final order on Fairview Memorial Park - Delaware County, Ohio

Judge issues final order on Fairview Memorial Park

*********

There are 1,717 memorials for Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County listed on Find A Grave.  

It has been a long time coming for Delaware County's Fairview Memorial Park to have a viable owner.  Finally, and thankfully, the Berlin Township Trustees are now legally responsible for it's care and regular maintenance. 
Congratulations go out to Mr. Tim Foor who has been tireless since the beginning with his dedication to Fairview Memorial Park and its reaching this important goal of having a full-time responsible owner. 
Tim is the owner of Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation, LLC

Updated report - the sentencing of Theodore "Ted" Martin who, along with his wife Arminda Martin, commited fraudulent crimes against many who have purchased merchandise and lots at two Ohio cemeteries and one Pennsylvania Cemetery

 Sharing this latest update from the "York Dispatch" in York, Pennsylvania.:

"2nd owner of Dover-area cemetery guilty of bilking customers of nearly $500K" 

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Grandview Memorial Park (AKA Grandview Cemetery) in Ravenna, Portage County and Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County are the two Ohio cemeteries impacted by the criminal activity committed by this couple who gambled away most of the money they received from customers.

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Excerpt:

"The pair bilked at least 223 customers of Suburban Memorial Gardens cemetery out of at least $493,000 since about 2010."

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The Cemetery Advocacy Facebook Group has been set up to share and discuss all of the unresolved issues these three cemeteries have had to deal with; and for the most part linger, caused by this couple's crime spree that thankfully has ended. 

Berlin files rebuttal to cemetery ruling - Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County, Ohio

 Sharing this latest report on the status of the Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County, Ohio. 
We have been following the news of the many twists and turns as the process moves toward a permanent resolution to adopt a permanent owner for this active cemetery.

Berlin files rebuttal to cemetery ruling

  The Fairview Memorial Park has 1,646 memorials posted for it on "Find A Grave".

The  Cemetery Advocacy Group  - a closed Facebook Group, has been set up to address the ongoing issues affecting Fairview Memorial Park. 

Sharing news of the final judgment for Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County, Ohio

Sharing the news of the final judgment for the disposition of the Fairview Memorial Park in Berlin Township, Delaware County, Ohio.  

This comes after over two years of waiting for this cemetery to be legally granted to the Berlin Township Trustees; thus removing the receiver from his role of handling the day-to-day operations of the cemetery.  

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Sharing an early news story of June 27, 2016 10TV - WBNS Columbus with a report about the situation at the time at Fairview Memorial Park

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The last report about Fairview Memorial Park was March 5, 2019 by 10TV - WBNS Columbus. 

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Fairview Memorial Park has 1,646 memorials posted for it on "Find A Grave."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Putting a focus back on Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County, Ohio

Sharing this link to a short news story and accompanying video from Channel 10TV  - WBNS in Columbus, Ohio.:  "Fate of Fairview Memorial Park still undecided" from their news reporter, Shelby Croft.  

~*~*~*~*~*~

An excerpt from the story:

"Those with family members buried in the cemetery say it’s not being maintained and they just want the court case decided.

The receiver says the only money coming into the cemetery is from ongoing burials, about once a month so there is little to work with.

“Here we sit, two years later, still waiting for somebody to take it over, who’s going to take care of it,” said Tim Foor, who has family buried in the cemetery.

The case was back in court Friday, the judge is now writing a decision.

The families are planning a protest for Sunday at the cemetery at 1 p.m."

~*~*~*~*~
Tim has created a Facebook Group where more information is provided.: "Cemetery Advocacy Group"

"This page is for people who have loved ones buried in Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware, Ohio, Suburban Memorial Park in Dover, Pennsylvania and Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna, Ohio to discuss issues with the cemeteries." 

Sharing the Latest News about Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County, Ohio

Sharing this news story.:

"Cemetery fraud victims look to buy Fairview Memorial Park after owners sentenced" from 10TV News, WBNS in Columbus, Ohio.

The cemetery's advocate, Tim Foor, was interviewed by MEGHAN MATTHEWS

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

Fairview Memorial Park lists 1,620 memorials on the website: "Find A Grave."  

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

Mr. Tim Foor, an advocate who has been working tirelessly on behalf of plot owners and all who care and are concerned about Fairview Memorial Park, has set up a Facebook Cemetery Advoacy Group for the cemetery. 

"Couple sentenced in Delaware County cemetery fraud"

Sharing the latest news from "The Columbus Dispatch" in Columbus, Ohio

By Dean Narciso 

"Couple sentenced in Delaware County cemetery fraud"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fairview Memorial Park

• 325 S. Sandusky Street, Delaware, Delaware County, Ohio,43015 USA

1,618 memorials listed on "Find A Grave."

Sharing Information about a Great Cemetery Advocacy Facebook Group for two Ohio Cemeteries and One Pennsylvania Cemetery

I recently learned about the "Cemetery Advocacy Group", a Facebook Group, that is dedicated to the preservation of three cemeteries; two in Ohio and one in Pennsylvania.

Please read the introduction about this great group and click on the links for further details.:

"This Facebook Group is for people who have loved ones buried in Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware, Ohio, Suburban Memorial Park in Dover, Pennsylvania and Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna, Ohio to discuss issues with the cemeteries.":

"Cemetery Advocacy Group"

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Delaware County, Ohio:

Fairview Memorial Park on "Find A Grave"

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Portage County, Ohio:

Grandview Memorial Park on "Find A Grave"

~~~~~~~~~

York County, Pennsylvania:

Suburban Memorial Park on "Find A Grave"

Ohio House Bill 168 Has Passed and is Headed for the Ohio Senate -- Progress Made for some of Ohio's Cemeteries!

Sharing some links regarding Ohio House Bill 168 which just passed and is now headed to the Ohio Senate for review and hopefully will gain passage as well.   

Press Release from the Ohio House - 132nd General Assembly regarding HB 168

And,

From the website: "Legiscan" regarding House Bill 168.  

Sadly, even active (current burial) cemeteries can become victims; victims of their owners who abandon them, which should be unheard of. 

 Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County and Grandview Memorial Park, Ravenna, in Portage County, Ohio have lacked proper ownership for quite some time due to their owners becoming involved with criminal activity. 

Also, there are two cemeteries in southern Ohio where the owners fled the state: Floral Hills Memory Gardens, Circleville in Pickaway County; and Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Chillicothe, in Ross County. 

Volunteers are often the ones who are left behind to care for these "orphaned cemeteries" while they await new owners, which can be a long time coming. These are cemeteries that have current and future burials; yet no one to maintain their grounds and gravesites or their records.

Hopefully, House Bill 168 will also pass the Ohio Senate as it is the best legislation put forth to address these issues, and deserves to be enacted to save any other cemeteries that one day may be faced with such an unfortunate fate. 

Sharing Updates for Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County and Grandview Memorial Park in Portage County, Ohio

The bad news just keeps getting worse as prospects are again dimmed for finding a satisfactory resolution soon for both the Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County and Grandview Memorial Park, Ravenna, in Portage County.  

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We have been following this sad saga for months hoping for a final resolution for these two active cemeteries; yet the latest news still leaves them in want of new owners.  

Both cemeteries have been dependant upon dedicated volunteers to pitch in and handle their care as best they can.  But these situations cannot go on indefinitely. 

Ohio laws (Ohio Revised Codes), or the lack of them, have not provided answers either despite the Ohio Attorney General's involvment with this case.  

"Couple are re-indicted on Lewis Center Cemetery Scheme" -- from "NBC4i.com

Published June 16, 2017

Excerpt:"Theodore and Arminda Martin, owners of Fairview Memorial Park, were originally indicted in February on 54 charges against 44 victims. Friday’s indictment replaces the original and includes 80 charges and 67 victims."

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"No cash to operate neglected Delaware Cemetery" -- from the "Delaware Gazette" published June 13, 2017

Excerpt:

"A.C. Strip, esq., a Columbus-based attorney specializing in corporate insolvency, was appointed to care for Fairview Memorial Cemetery by Delaware County Common Pleas Judge David Gormley at a hearing on May 23."

"Strip said he is working on an inventory of items at the cemetery, but said he has virtually zero cash on hand to take care of the cemetery. Strip then praised the group of local volunteers who had been taking care of the cemetery and said they were responsible for cleaning up the cemetery for Memorial Day."

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Fairview Memorial Park on "Find A Grave"

& 

Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna, Ohio on "Find A Grave"

"Receiver Appointed to Troubled Delaware Cemetery" -- The Latest Report for Fairview MemorialPark

A receiver has been appointment to take over Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County, Ohio per several reports just released.

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From ABC Channel 6 in Columbus, Ohio.:

"Receiver Appointed to Troubled Delaware Cemetery"  

By Kurt Ludlow.

"With owners in prison, volunteers take on cemetery upkeep"

From The Columbus Dispatch, Friday, May 19, 2017

By Dean Narciso

"With owners in prison, volunteers take on cemetery upkeep"

Fairview Memorial Park, Delaware County, Ohio as listed on "Find A Grave"

AND

Grandview Memorial Park, Portage County, Ohio as listed on "Find A Grave"

Sharing Encouraging News for Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County, Ohio!

Sharing a link to this latest news report that appeared in the May 3, 2017 "Delaware Gazette" online edition entitled: 

"Locals and Professionals United to Clean Up Cemetery" 

by Glenn Battishill.  

~*~*~*~*~*~

Since January of 2016, several news stories and updates have been published about the Fairview Memorial Park Cemetery in Delaware County, Ohio, and Grandview Memorial Park in Portage County, Ohio and this one is the most encouraging; for at least the Fairview Memorial Park Cemetery in Delaware County. 

This hopeful account reminds us that volunteerism is vitally important now more than ever because acts of vandalism are on the rise at cemeteries; all types of cemeteries.  

*****

No longer do we mostly hear of vandalism and neglect/abandonment occurring at obscure long dormant cemeteries, but increasingly at larger, active ones.  This is sadly due to absent and criminally negligent cemetery owners causing the cemetery grounds to be easier targets for vandals to enter and linger longer to damage and destroy gravestones and monuments.  

It cannot be stressed enough that bringing more public awareness of a cemetery's particular plight will benefit not only the cemetery itself, but the community as a whole.  

A cemetery is an integral and historical part of the community where it is located.  It either complements or detracts from its surroundings; a fact that should not be ignored.

"Bond Revoked for Owner of Grandview Memorial Park Cemetery in Ravenna, Ohio"

Sharing this most recent news story about the Grandview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Ravenna, in Portage County.  It is from the "Record-Courier"newspaper in Kent, Ohio. 

Here is a paragraph excerpt from this news story published online on April 13, 2017.:

"Portage County Prosecutor Victor Vigluicci said Wednesday that his office continues to pursue criminal charges related to the Martins' alleged failure to comply with Ohio cemetery law, including allegedly failing to make annual filings, keep accurate business records and maintain the cemetery's trust account. Delaware County prosecutors are handling the multiple theft charges referring to crimes affecting as many as 44 victims. “Preying on the elderly and emotionally distraught is cruel,” the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office wrote March 7 on its Facebook page after the Martins’ criminal charges were announced. The Martins “have scammed dozens, if not hundreds, of innocent victims who paid for burial plots, vaults, and headstones for loved ones.”

The Ohio Attorney General's Office also has sued the Martins for alleged violations of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act for failing to provide more than $36,000 in merchandise to at least 26 customers."

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There are 2,762 interments at the Grandview Memorial Gardens cemetery listed on the website "Find A Grave."

~~~~~

The ongoing corruption issue also affects the Fairview Memorial Park Cemetery in Delaware County in this corruption case.   

There are 1,581 interments listed at Fairview Memorial Park on "Find A Grave."

Couple indicted in cemetery scam

Couple indicted in cemetery scam

Grandview Memorial Park - Portage County, Ohio 

Fairview Memorial Park - Delware County, Ohio 

Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio & Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County, Ohio are Impacted by This Story

"Conewago Cemetery Owners Charged with Theft"

February 8, 2016

by Gordon Rago.  YDR.com - York (Pennsylvania) Daily Record 

**The above York, Pennsylvania News Report Affects Two Ohio Cemeteries**:

Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio

Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County, Ohio 

*************************

Ms. Ellis,

"You have the county’s correct for both cemeteries.  As of July 1, 2015, both Fairview Memorial Park and Grandview Memorial Park are no longer actively registered with the Division.  When the cemetery failed to renew their registration with the Division the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission referred the failure to register to the county prosecutors.  Additional referrals were made to the county prosecutors as well during 2015.  I am attaching a few recent article related to both cemeteries. "

http://www.recordpub.com/news%20local/2016/03/23/grandview-memorial-park-owners-indicted-on-felony-charges

http://abc6onyourside.com/investigators/abc-6-investigation-law-enforcement-now-looking-into-troubled-cemetery

Laura A. Monick
Registration and Resolution Section Chief
Ohio Department of CommerceOhio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing
77 South High Street, 20^th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
614-466-5384www.com.ohio.gov