Sharing from "The Portager" - Portage County, Ohio - "Rootstown cemetery restoration underway, with obelisk secured and more work planned" - by Jeremy Brown - July 1, 2022

 Excerpt from story.:

The Rootstown Township Trustees and the Rootstown Old Cemetery Committee sponsored a two-day cemetery workshop June 17-18, kicking off an ongoing tombstone marker process for “The Old Cemetery” on Tallmadge Road. 

The workshop featured cemetery restoration specialist Tim Foor, from Ashley, Ohio, who has helped townships restore cemeteries in locations as far away as Charleston, South Carolina. 

During the workshop, Foor educated trustees, committee members and other participants about the process of tombstone restoration. He also shared his knowledge regarding the history of old cemeteries and gravestones and the vivid record of community history that they hold. More than 20 participants attended the event over the course of both days.  

Restoring the grave markers at what was formerly known as “Ye Olde Cemetery” has been in the plans for a while, Rootstown Historical Society Trustee Don Boyle said, but acquiring the resources to undertake such a project has been a challenge."

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Here is a link to the Facebook Page of "Rootstown OH Old Cemetery Restoration Project"

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Here is a link to "The Old Cemetery" in Rootstown as it currently appears on Find A Grave

Sharing from "The Portager" - "Kent's Pioneer Cemetery is looking for more volunteers" - Learn more at the April 27 2022 - 7p.m. meeting at the Kent Historical Society.

Volunteerism at cemeteries; particularly at older smaller cemeteries that have less resources than their larger counterparts, is quite crucial to have in order to keep routine maintenance going without interruptions. 

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So it is that news of volunteer opportunities should be welcomed by those looking to not only participate to help a cause at a needy cemetery, but also to further their own experience to become better trained hands-on cemetery volunteers.  This is true because as we know good intentions alone are not enough for volunteers to have for conducting tasks unless they gain experience using proper products and do no harm methods when working with grave markers.  There are also additional tasks required at gravesites.

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This volunteer opportunity at the Stow Street Cemetery in Kent, Portage County, Ohio (listed on Find A Grave as Stow Street Cemetery AKA Pioneer Cemetery) is described as: 

"Volunteers typically “adopt” a grave or family plot, clearing it of weeds and perhaps planting flowers or other foliage in time for Memorial Day."

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"Anyone interested in learning about the cemetery or participating is welcome to attend the group’s meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 27 at the Kent Historical Society, 237 E. Main St. Refreshments, including adult beverages, will be served."

W.P.A. Cemetery Plat Maps for Portage County, Ohio are posted on the right sidebar of the blog

The W.P.A. Cemetery Plat Maps for Portage County, Ohio are now posted on the right sidebar on this blog. 

Unfortunately, Portage County's maps are missing some pages. I was informed that is the case by the Portage County Engineer's Office. The Portage County W.P.A. Cemetery Plat Maps are in a large bound book at their office.

The missing pages are:

Page 153 which is the Addenda.  A typical Addenda for these types of cemetery plat maps lists veterans' names whose location of burial is unknown.  

Also, pages 50 through 68 are missing for Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna Township. Only page 49, which is the Title Page for the Maple Grove Cemetery, is in the book.

Page 69 is missing for Mott Town Cemetery in Deerfield Township.

Page 70 is missing for North Cemetery in Palmyra Township.  

Thus far an inquiry has been made with the Portage County Auditor's office if they may have information about the missing map pages.  Inquiries will be made with other Portage County resources to learn if more information can be provided regarding these missing pages. 

Problems continue with the ongoing operation of Maple Grove Cemetery in Portage County, Ohio

Sharing from the Record-Courier in Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio this latest story from reporter Diane Smith:

Maple Grove Cemetery in Portage County, Ohio will suffer from budget cuts due to nearby Grandview Memorial Park that the township has assumed responsibility for in recent months.  

First, for better understanding, it helps to learn more about what constitutes a Union Cemetery:

"759.27 Union of municipal corporations and townships for cemetery purposes."

"The legislative authorities of two or more municipal corporations, or of one or more municipal corporations and the boards of township trustees of one or more townships, when conveniently located for that purpose, may unite in the establishment and management of a cemetery, by the purchase or appropriation of land therefor not exceeding one hundred acres, to be paid for as provided by section 759.30 of the Revised Code."
Effective Date: 10-01-1953 .

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"759.341 Union cemetery district."

"The legislative authority of each municipal corporation and the board of township trustees of each township that has united in the establishment and management of a cemetery under section 759.27 of the Revised Code, by an affirmative vote of a majority of each legislative authority and board, may form a union cemetery district comprised of all of the territory within the united municipal corporation and township for the purpose of levying taxes within the territory of the district for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the cemetery. The legislative authority and board, acting jointly, shall constitute the taxing authority of the union cemetery district. Notwithstanding sections 759.37, 5705.19, and 5705.191 of the Revised Code, in order to adopt a resolution to levy a tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation within the district, a majority of the members of each legislative authority and board of township trustees constituting the taxing authority must vote in favor of the resolution. In all other matters, when the legislative authority and board are acting jointly as the taxing authority of the union cemetery district, each member of the legislative authority and board shall have one vote as described in section 759.37 of the Revised Code."

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Excerpt from the story.:

"This summer, the township asked the city to dissolve the union cemetery agreement, something that can't happen unless both sides agree.

The township cited financial constraints, noting that it also now operates Grandview Cemetery. 

Since then, city and township officials have met but haven't come to an agreement, except to explore cost-saving measures."

Also, it is worth noting that with this situation again we see an example of how there can be a negative "trickle down" effect when a township assumes responsibility for a for-profit cemetery, which Grandview Cemetery was, after the departure of the previous owners who were prosecuted because they committed crimes that directly caused adverse consequences for the cemetery and those who own lots in them.  

The cemetery then becomes one without a legal new owner. In other words it becomes abandoned.  

So, thus in Ohio, we can have an active yet abandoned cemetery.  Most of us might think of abandoned cemeteries as being those that have not had a burial in over 25 years, and are in the inactive status because of it.  We can see that may not always be the case.  

The Ohio Revised Code does not have in place a provision that would ease hardships that arise when these situations occur and the cemetery essentially becomes abandoned and orphaned if the township, or other type of municipality where it is located, does not agree in a timely manner to assume ownership and responsibility for it and its routine care. When they do ultimately agree to accept responsibility, the problems and expenses have greatly increased. 

As we can see, often with these types of disputes between two entities such as a town and a township regarding the responsibility and care of two close proximity cemeteries, in the end, at least one of those cemeteries will suffer.  

We see in this case, it is a scramble to resolve a financial situation by placing budget cuts on one cemetery resulting in a reduction of its staff in order to operate both cemeteries.  This move will in turn affect the ongoing maintenance of that cemetery in a negative manner.

A tense situation continues between the City of Ravenna and the Township over the continued care of the Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna

Sharing this most recent update regarding the continuing joint care of Ravenna's Maple Grove Cemetery by both the city and Ravenna Township stressing how it remains a costly unresolved issue, particularly for the township.  

Over 15,000 memorials are listed for Maple Grove on Find A Grave. 

The township cited that it took over Grandview Memorial Park which has over 3,400 memorials listed for it on Find A Grave.

The article explains that Ravenna and Ravenna Township have a Union Cemetery Agreement.  

The function of a Union Cemetery District in the Ohio Revised Code states.:

"759.341 Union cemetery district."

"The legislative authority of each municipal corporation and the board of township trustees of each township that has united in the establishment and management of a cemetery under section 759.27 of the Revised Code, by an affirmative vote of a majority of each legislative authority and board, may form a union cemetery district comprised of all of the territory within the united municipal corporation and township for the purpose of levying taxes within the territory of the district for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the cemetery. The legislative authority and board, acting jointly, shall constitute the taxing authority of the union cemetery district. Notwithstanding sections 759.37, 5705.19, and 5705.191 of the Revised Code, in order to adopt a resolution to levy a tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation within the district, a majority of the members of each legislative authority and board of township trustees constituting the taxing authority must vote in favor of the resolution. In all other matters, when the legislative authority and board are acting jointly as the taxing authority of the union cemetery district, each member of the legislative authority and board shall have one vote as described in section 759.37 of the Revised Code."

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"There's not another jurisdiction in the state of Ohio that is responsible for two cemeteries, except for us," said Township Trustee Hank Gibson, the township's representative on the cemetery board. "I think anyone with a sound mind would say that's not fair."

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Below is a link to the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District and the cemeteries they are responsible for. 

The Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District is even larger; comprised of five cemeteries.

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From "The Mirror" in Maumee, Ohio - "Waterville, Whitehouse, Waterville Township Move Forward on Union Cemetery Plan"by Karen Gerhardinger, Mirror Reporter

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Waterville Council Meeting Minutes, April 22, 2019 

"NEW BUSINESS"

"A. DISCUSSION – JOINT MEETING FOR THE APPROVAL OF TAX MILLAGE FOR THE FALLEN TIMBERS UNION CEMETERY DISTRICT ON MAY 13, 2019 AT 6:00 P.M.

At a January 7, 2019 Special Joint Meeting, the Waterville City Council, along with the elected officials of the Village of Whitehouse and Waterville Township created the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District. At this joint meeting, a Cemetery Board of Trustees was selected from representatives of the three participating jurisdictions and a general consensus was reached on how the district would be funded and the necessary steps needed to begin operations as a union cemetery. Legislation is on tonight’s Council agenda which will finalize the City’s financial contribution, provide assistance with equipment services and transfer the City owned Wakeman Cemetery to the District. The Ohio Revised Code requires an annual joint meeting of the participating members of the Union Cemetery District to be held at the Council Chamber of the largest participating municipality at its first regular meeting in May each year for the purpose of determining the annual rate of taxation for the District. Since Waterville is the largest member, the meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building prior to our regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. The meeting agenda and the District’s proposed 2020 Operating Budget was included with Council’s packet for their review and discussion. The rate of taxation approved at the joint meeting would be uniform throughout the District and is levied outside of the ten-mill limitation. The requested 0.46 mills includes the purchase of equipment thought to be part of the necessary “start-up” costs required to begin the operation and maintenance activities for the District’s five publicly owned cemeteries totaling 28.644 acres.

Mr. Frey, Chair of the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District Board of Trustees, stated that the 2020 Operating Budget was put together by the Cemetery Board and

was included in Council’s packet. This budget will need to be approved at the Joint District meeting on May 13 and at that meeting we will also need to set the levy that will be needed to fund the district in the future. 2019 will be funded through the seed money of $50,000 from each from the City of Waterville and the Village of Whitehouse.

Council held a brief discussion on the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District’s proposed 2020 budget. All three entities of the district will meet for the annual joint meeting on Monday, May 13 at 6:00 p.m. at the City of Waterville Council Chamber.

B. RESOLUTION 13-19 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR THE FALLEN TIMBERS UNION CEMETERY DISTRICT

At the January 7, 2019 Special Joint Meeting creating the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District, an understanding was reached among the elected officials present that the Cemetery District would need an interim source of funding to operate in 2019 until property taxes were received in 2020. This Resolution authorizes a “Cooperative Funding Agreement” between the City, the Village of Whitehouse and the Cemetery District to provide a total of $100,000 to fund the operational expenses of the District in 2019. The $50,000, contributed each by the City of Waterville and the Village of Whitehouse respectively, would be paid back to each jurisdiction over a period of five (5) years at a rate of $10,000 per year. The $50,000 payment to the District was included in the 2019 Appropriations Ordinance.

Mayor Brodie moved to adopt Resolution 13-19. Mr. Bruno seconded the motion. Roll call: Mrs. Bruno – yes, Mr. Pedro – yes, Mrs. Duncan – yes, Mayor Brodie – yes, Mr. Frey – abstain, Mr. Bruno – yes. The motion passed.

C. RESOLUTION 14-19 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL EQUIPMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE FALLEN TIMBERS UNION CEMETERY DISTRICT

This Resolution authorizes an “Intergovernmental Equipment Services Agreement” between the City of Waterville and the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District for equipment services involving the opening and closing of graves in the District’s cemeteries on a temporary basis until the District has the equipment and personnel to undertake this work on its own behalf. The city would charge the District $50.00 per hour per City Employee and $100.00 per hour for equipment.

Mr. Pedro moved to adopt Resolution 14-19. Mr. Bruno seconded the motion. Roll call: Mrs. Bruno – yes, Mr. Pedro – yes, Mrs. Duncan – yes, Mayor Brodie – yes, Mr. Frey – abstain, Mr. Bruno – yes. The motion passed.

D. ORDINANCE 06-19 AN ORDINANCE TRANSFERRING OWNERSHIP OF THE WAKEMAN CEMETERY TO THE FALLEN TIMBERS UNION CEMETERY DISTRICT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

This Ordinance authorizes the transfer of ownership of the Wakeman Cemetery located inside the City of Waterville to the Fallen Timbers Union Cemetery District. The emergency measure is requested in order to transfer the property to the District as soon as possible in order to avoid any disruption of the operation of the cemetery.

Mayor Brodie made a motion to suspend the rules to allow for the passage of Ordinance 06-19 as an emergency measure. Mrs. Duncan seconded the motion.

Roll call: Mr. Bruno – yes, Mr. Frey – abstain, Mayor Brodie – yes, Mrs. Duncan – yes, Mr. Pedro – yes, Mrs. Bruno - yes. The motion passed.

Mayor Brodie made a motion to move for the passage of Ordinance 06-19 as an emergency measure. Mr. Pedro seconded the motion.

Roll call: Mrs. Bruno – yes, Mr. Pedro – yes, Mrs. Duncan – yes, Mayor Brodie – yes, Mr. Frey – abstain, Mr. Bruno – yes. The motion passed."

Sharing the latest about the preservation progress at the Old Baptist Cemetery in Garrettsville, Portage County, Ohio

Sharing this news story by Iva Walker of the "Weekly Villager" that was published online on August 14, 2020.  The publication covers events in and around Garrettsville. 

The story comes titled:  

"Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report" 

To our pleasant surprise the content is about the ongoing restoration and preservation work being done at the Old Baptist Cemetery in Garrettsville.

Tim Foor of Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation presented an on-site Zoom program to the visiting members.  

Below is one example of the type of work completed by Tim.:

Eleanor Jones Garrett's marker

All photos by Tim Foor:

 

Below is Eleanor Jones Garretts' marker 

straightened, reset, and cleaned.

This is the second year for the preservation work at the Old Baptist Cemetery in Garrettsville.  

We look forward to further updates about the progress being made with this larger project that has received a tremendous amount of local interest and support.  

A correction and further information pertaining to a statement included in this story.:

Quoting.: 

"Someone interested in getting involved in restoration efforts might check Facebook–Preserving Ohio Cemeteries (or some variation of)."

The correct name of the (Closed/Private) Facebook Group is Preserving Ohio's Cemeteries.  

The group was created in 2013 and has grown to currently 1,418 members. 

Potential members need to answer membership questions when requesting to join.  

Only members can contribute and read/view content in the group.

Adding that the group has serious preservation minded members at all levels. We feel that sharing is learning.  

The focus is primarily on Ohio and the content covers topics ranging from how the Ohio Revised Codes affect cemeteries to hands-on cemetery preservation workshops, cemetery and grave marker photographs, members helping members with questions, and a great group of welcomers who extend their own personal greetings to each new member!  

Another Ohio township trying to walk away from it's responsibilities to care for a cemetery - Ravenna Township, Portage County, Ohio

Sharing this July 26, 2020 story by Diane Smith from the "Record-Courier" -- 
"Ravenna Township wants out of Maple Grove Agreement" 

"City and township officials plan to meet in the near future to consider the future of Maple Grove Cemetery on North Chestnut Street, which Ravenna city and township have jointly operated for more than 20 years.

Ravenna Township Trustee Patsy Artz said the burden of rising costs at Maple Grove are too much to bear for the township, which took over Grandview after its previous owners, Ted and Myndi Martin, were sent to prison for defrauding customers. The burden of rising cemetery costs, she said, comes at a time when all local governments are short on funds because of COVID-19.

“By law, we only have to have one cemetery,” she said. “We cannot afford to maintain two cemeteries, nor do we need to.”

 Assistant Portage County Prosecutor Chad Murdock wrote a letter to the city in June, hoping to dissolve the partnership that operates Maple Grove.

 “With your consent, the board (of township trustees) would like, actually needs, to withdraw from the Maple Grove Union Cemetery,” he wrote. “To be fiscally responsible, the board must make some changes.”

 Maple Grove, though now located entirely within the city limits, was once the township cemetery. In 1995, the township sued the city, arguing that because the cemetery was in the city, both governments should jointly maintain it, and the Portage County Common Pleas Court ruled in the township’s favor.

 Ravenna Law Director Frank Cimino said that an opinion from the Ohio Attorney General has determined that both parties in a union cemetery must agree to dissolve the partnership.

 “If the city does not consent to it, they (township trustees) have no ability to withdraw,” Cimino told council’s planning committee recently.

 However, he said, the city and township could form a joint district to seek a tax levy to fund the cemetery.

 Councilwoman Amy Michael said she was concerned about justifying a tax increase to residents, and pointed out that the city is losing money as well.

 “There have been so many taxes and increases to our residents,” she said. “Some of our residents choose cremation and don’t even use that cemetery, or another cemetery. I’m not sure how we’d justify that.”

 Councilman Tim Calfee said he believes the cemetery needs to be fixed up, but now isn’t the right time to ask for a tax.

 “We don’t say when we’re having trouble paying our bills, ‘Oh, I don’t want to pay my bill anymore,’ ” he said.

 Mayor Frank Seman said he thinks both sides need to sit down and “politely discuss the situation.”

 But it’s not clear when, or how, the meeting would take place because of regulations on mass gatherings due to COVID-19.

“That cemetery, people watch it like a hawk,” Michael said. “A lot of our loved ones are there, and our history is there.”"

Maple Grove Cemetery has 15,384 interments on "Find A Grave"

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Grandview Memorial Park has 3,420 interments on "Find A Grave"

"However, he said, the city and township could form a joint district to seek a tax levy to fund the cemetery."

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/759.341v1

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759.341 Union cemetery district.

The legislative authority of each municipal corporation and the board of township trustees of each township that has united in the establishment and management of a cemetery under section 759.27 of the Revised Code, by an affirmative vote of a majority of each legislative authority and board, may form a union cemetery district comprised of all of the territory within the united municipal corporation and township for the purpose of levying taxes within the territory of the district for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the cemetery. The legislative authority and board, acting jointly, shall constitute the taxing authority of the union cemetery district. Notwithstanding sections 759.37, 5705.19, and 5705.191 of the Revised Code, in order to adopt a resolution to levy a tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation within the district, a majority of the members of each legislative authority and board of township trustees constituting the taxing authority must vote in favor of the resolution. In all other matters, when the legislative authority and board are acting jointly as the taxing authority of the union cemetery district, each member of the legislative authority and board shall have one vote as described in section 759.37 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 10-20-1987.

 

There are so many elements at play in a situation such as this one.  More than one side to the argument has merit in this story.  Definitely, more discussions are needed to happen between all parties involved.  
Reaching out to obtain pertinent input from residents is crucial.  Some options include holding Facebook live 'town hall' type meetings, etc.  
Seeking different approaches to solve the problems at hand to better enable the living to do the right thing by those who are no longer with us and no longer who can speak for themselves. 

The fate of final resting places of those who came before us - whether they be long ago ancestors or our parents - and when you come right down to it, ourselves if we have invested in plots at a cemetery, all are at risk.  
At the heart of the matter is:  Respect, Dignity, Honoring final wishes.   All are at risk of  being lost if we as the living,  do not keep our commitments to those who came before us, to each other, and to ourselves.  
All cemeteries are part of their surrounding communities.  Cemeteries are comprised of sacred spaces and are living breathing landscapes full of cherished history. 
Yes, financial resources are considerations, but there are options, even workarounds, to achieve goals.  
We have seen how volunteers have cared for active cemeteries that were orphaned by their owners right here in Ohio -- Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Ross County and the Pickaway County location both have managed to sustained themselves through volunteerism and donations.  And, they have now done it for over 7 years.  Can they go on forever - of course not, but they are keeping these cemeteries going as best that they can until a new owner is put in place.  

Like everything else in life that determines whether there will be success or failure, it all comes down to the people involved.  How committed they are to solving a problem.  How devoted they are to seeking out solutions and gathering local community support.  

What we don't want to happen is for active cemeteries being 'fast-tracked' into a downward spiral of becoming like their long abandoned counterparts -- covered with overgrown weeds, landscapes dotted with sinking markers, and leaning monuments.  
As a nation and a society, we are at a crossroads because of changes in burial practices that are jeopardizing the future of long-established cemeteries.  
Additional options for long-term cemetery care need to be explored.  I feel adopting measures modeled after those cemeteries with owners that have been successful at handling these changes would be worthwhile to explore and carefully examine. 

Mantua Township Historic Cemeteries Restoration Committee is hosting guest speaker Dr. Jarrod Burks - March 17 2020 - 7PM - at Mantua Township Town Hall -- HAS BEEN CANCELLED

This meeting has been cancelled.
😢😢
Sharing this announcement about an upcoming meeting with presentation by Dr. Jarrod Burks to the Mantua Township Historic Cemeteries Restoration Committee. 

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"All are welcome to join the group at 7 p.m. March 17, at Mantua Township Town Hall, 4122 Route 82, at the corner of Mantua Center Road and Route 82 on the Historic Mantua Center Green."

"Refreshments will be served."  

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The Mantua Center Cemetery on Find A Grave in Portage County, Ohio with 341 memorials.

Grandview Memorial Park - Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio received an HB 168 Cemetery Grant

Sharing this news story from the "Record-Courier" of Kent, Ohio.:

"Grandview Cemetery gets grant from state"

By Diane Smith, Reporter

Excerpt:

"The once beleaguered Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna Township got a boost from state officials Thursday, when township trustees got a grant to continue improvements at the cemetery.

The Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing awarded trustees a $1,450 grant. The money will be used to put up directional signs at the cemetery, which trustees reluctantly took over almost two years ago.

Anne Moorhead Petit, superintendent of the division, said the grant program is new. This year, $75,357 worth of grants are being awarded to 65 cemeteries in 34 Ohio counties. The cemeteries are either publicly owned or are not for profit."

This is definitely a happy ending story for Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna.  

Grandview Memorial Park has 3,385 memorials listed for it on "Find A Grave."

Now, Grandview Memorial Park has a bright future to be properly maintained for many years to come.  

Personally, I can't think of a more deserving cemetery to receive this 2020 Ohio Cemetery Grant.  

"The Garrettsville Cemetery Association is sponsoring a training session on cleaning old gravestones at the Baptist Cemetery on Maple Ave. on Saturday, October 5 from 10 am until 4 pm."

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 A hands-on volunteer opportunity -- training conducted by Tim Foor, owner of Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation LLC, at the Baptist Cemetery in Garrettsville, Portage County, Ohio. - Saturday, October 5, 2019 - from 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. - Announced by the Garrettsville Cemetery Association. 

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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. 

Portage County, Ohio - WPA Cemetery Plat Maps

Below are various WPA Cemetery Plat maps for Portage County, Ohio.  

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Here is a link on Find A Grave for the Portage County, Ohio Cemeteries listed on their website. 

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