Leaving a Legacy June 2012 by I-75 Newspaper Group

Leaving a

June 2012

Legacy A special supplement of the I-75 Neswpaper Group Piqua Daily Call, Troy Daily News & Sidney Daily News

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The value of thinking ahead Preplanning not as daunting, intimidating as it appears

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rienced a death close to them or because of a recent conversation with a family member.” More couples — especially in their 60s — are setting up appointments with Yannucci and Edwards to discuss pre-planning because they’ve recently dealt with the death of a parent

and “realize the value in thinking ahead.” Advanced funeral planning, emphasizes Yannucci, is a “contemporary concept for exploring your final options prior to your death or that of someone you love. Many people recognize that See Value /Page 4

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apping out plans for a college education, a family wedding or retirement traditionally requires months and, in some cases, years of preparation. So why do individuals become squeamish when discussing their own mortality and end-of-life decisions? Pre-planning one’s funeral unfortunately doesn’t rank high on everyone’s “bucket list,” according to local funeral homes who strongly encourage everyone to explore their final options prior to their death. Michael Yannucci of Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home in Piqua suggests that, as a society, “we don’t accept mortality easily.” His sentiments are shared byAaron Edwards,a licensed funeral home director at Cromes Funeral Home in Sidney. Whether individuals adopt the mentality “just put me in a pine box and bury me in the backyard” or

fantasize they will live forever, funeral experts such as Yannucci and Edwards agree that pre-planning can save surviving family members — especially out of staters— considerable heartache and facilitate the final wishes of the deceased. Making that first call to a funeral home to discuss final arrangements is not as daunting or intimidating as it appears, according to Yannucci, who has been a licensed funeral director in Miami County for more MIKE ULLERY/STAFF PHOTO than 30 years and has authored several arti- Funeral Director Mike Yannucci of Jamison & Yannucci cles on funeral-related Funeral Home in Piqua talks wth family members about arrangements for services for loved ones. issues. “Calling a funeral home for an appointment is extremely tough for most individuals,” admittedYannucci. We do not employ funeral homes, cemeteries or sales people. “It’s hard for some because, in the United States,society Therefore, we can pass on to our customers the 20 to 35 percent commission. views death as an option. •OVER 1000 IN STOCK• When you hear that people Absolutely no Door to Door or Phone Solicitation die, it’s on our mind … because we don’t accept mor5 miles south of Greenville on St. Rt. 49 tality easily. When we (next to Abbottsville Cemetery) receive a call it’s generally M-F, 9-4; Sat, 9-12; because someone has expeOther times by appointment

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SHARON SEMANIE Staff Writer editorial@dailycall.com

4 A PUBLICATION OF THE I-75 NEWSPAPER GROUP • JUNE 2012

Personal to economic more individuals choosing cremation BY LINDSAY NOCE Staff Writer editorial@dailycall.com

hether it is for ecological or economical reasons, in recent years more people are choosing cremation as a personal preference and it has become more popular in the U.S. than ever before. Cremation takes little or no use of land and the cost is approximately half of that of a burial. An area of concern may be any pollution put into the air from cremation. “We burn natural gas and are closely regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency,” said

Michael Yannucci of Jameison & Yannucci Funeral Home in Piqua. Jameison & Yannucci has provides educational information about cremation on their website. There are many options to choose from when one is considering cremation. For instance, the family may or may not hold visiting hours at the funeral home. If they chose to hold visiting hours, they have the option of viewing the deceased, before which the body must be prepared by embalming. A casket can also be purchased for a viewing but many funeral homes make a rental casket

available. However, if the choice is to decline a viewing, it is unnecessary to embalm before cremation. A memorial service with the cremains present can be arranged by the funeral home. Because cremation is an irreversible procedure, there is a strict legal process that needs to be followed before the actual cremation takes place. “By law, you must hold a body for at least 24 hours and until a doctor signs off on the cremation permit,” said Don Tangeman of Salm-McGill & Tangeman in Sidney. “We must also have the authorizing agent which is usually a survivor of the

descendent, view the remains for identification purposes.” State law requires a rather lengthy authorization form that to be completed prior to the cremation. The law states: Also under state law, the remains of more than one descendent may be cremated in the same chamber only if they were related or were, anytime during the oneMIKE ULLERY/STAFF PHOTO year period preceding The crematory at Jameison &Yannucci Funeral Home their deaths, living in a in Piqua. common law marital relationship or cohabitat- the cremation of a loved guardian. According to Amy ing. (According to one may be witnessed by permission of the AuthorWelker, City of Piqua Premiere Crematory; Authorization for Cremation izing Agent of the De- Health and Sanitation scendent. Children may Department, there is no and Disposition). Interestingly enough, also witness with the sig- law prohibiting the nature of a parent/legal See Cremation /Page 5

of mind knowing that everyone is taken care of and the possibility of mistakes is minimized,” added Yannucci. Upon setting up an appointment, both Yannucci and Edwards meet with respective individuals and/or couples to gather vital information, allow them to express their wishes and discuss the funding of their respective funeral(s). “The first (step) is to compile the vital information necessary at the time of your death,” said Yannucci, suggesting that such info is vital to completing documents for Social Security, veterans benefits, the health department and the appropriate newspaper notice. By passing along such information — certain dates, ancestral backgrounds, club affiliations and maiden names — the guesswork is eliminated for surviving family members. By “expressing your

wishes,” Edwards said individuals can identify whether they want a traditional service, graveside service, full service cremation or memorial service. Because there are literally dozens of decisions that need to be made when a person dies, pre-planning enables one to discuss their preferred service location, music, involvement of family members, flowers, poetry or scripture readings and cemetery or cremation options. “The final step would be to fund the funeral arrangements you selected,” added Yannucci. “If you decide to pay for your services in advance, consider an irrevocable contract to avoid adverse income tax and Medicaid/SSI implications and make sure the costs of the funeral services and any merchandise are guaranteed.” A traditional funeral service, he suggested, typically ranges from

$7,000 to $9,000. While funding is a fundamental part of the discussion, Yannucci maintains that “any reputable funeral professional will assist in any way possible without cost for an advance funeral planning consultation. Advance funeral planning involves three steps,” he reiterated. “While each step is important, steps one and two can be accomplished without any financial obligation.” Edwards said an initial consultation generally takes between one to oneand-one half hours. “Preplanning lessens the burden on survivors so that everything can be picked out in advance.” To obtain more information about pre-planning funerals, visit the Cromes Funeral Home website at cromesfh@earthlink.net or Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home at jamiesonandyannucci.com.

Value Continued from page 3

most things we prepare for may never happen but death of ourselves or a family member will definitely happen. When death occurs, the survivors are devastated and will immediately embark on the natural grieving process. While this is normal, the intensity of emotions oftentimes inhibits our ability to function in a prudent manner.” He strongly encourages individuals to visit a funeral home without the stress and myriad emotions that come with planning a funeral. Pre-planning not only enables individuals to “think rationally” but also contemplate choices and types of funerals before making a final decision. “The elimination of the survivors’ guessing, overspending or not agreeing on decisions might be beneficial along with your peace

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5 A PUBLICATION OF THE I-75 NEWSPAPER GROUP • JUNE 2012

Honesty is the best policy when explaining death to children

BY DAVID FONG Staff Writer fong@tdnpublishing.com

uch like so many other things, when it comes do dealing with death and children, “honesty is the best policy.” So says Cheryl Poeppelman, a profesional clinical counselor and the primary counselor for patients on the Youth Services Unit at the Upper Valley Medical Center. “The best thing for a parent to do is to be open

and honest with the child,” Poeppelman said. “Be there to provide comfort and support. You want to get the child to share their feelings.” Poppelman said talking about death with a child is one way to go through the grieving process, but said if the child isn’t ready to talk about death, having the child draw a picture is another way to get them to express their feelings. “Absolutely,” Poeppelman said. “If they can’t express themselves through words, having them draw a

picture is a great way to show how they are feeling.” Poeppelman said there is no set age to begin talking to a child about death, but generally speaking, somewhere between the ages of 5-9 is a good age to begin talking to children about the death of a loved one. “Obviously you have to deal with it on a case-bycase basis, but generally between the ages of 5 and 9 is when a child starts comprehending that this is a permanent thing and that the person isn’t com-

ing back. Prior to that, they may not necessarily understand that death is permanent and that the person is not coming back. I think parents need to deal with it on a case-bycase basis.” Poeppelman also said there’s no set age in deciding when a child is old enough to attend the funeral services or viewing of a loved one who has passed away. “Again, I think it depends on the child,” she said.“That’s something the parent needs to decide. If

the child is able, I think it’s a good way to get closure. It’s important for a child to understand that death is a part of the cycle of life.” Much like honesty is the best way to deal with the loss of a loved one, Poeppelman said it is the best way to talk to a child about a family member or loved one who is terminally ill. “Try not to sugarcoat it,” she said. “Let them know that it is going to happen and that once it does, it is permanent. The child is probably going to ask a lot of questions and the par-

ent should try to prepare for that. Don’t be afraid to talk to the child. A lot of times the parents are more concerned about how the child is going to react.” Poeppelman said there are a number of services available to help a grieving child deal with the loss of a loved one. “Obviously we have both out-patient and in-patient services here, but Hospice is also equipped to deal with such things,” she said. “There are a number of places in the community that can offer help.”

distribution of cremains by an authorized agent of the descendent. Ohio Revised Code 4717.27 does not prohibit: a) The scattering of cremated remains at sea or by air or in a dedicated area at a cemetery used exclusively for the scattering on the ground of the cremated remains of dead human bodies or body parts. (b) The commingling of the cremated remains of more than one decedent or of body parts removed from more than one decedent or living person or the placement in the same urn or temporary container of the cremated remains of more than one decedent. Brian Sowers of Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home, Piqua, said he tells family members that wish to spread ashes, “Go ahead and discreetly spread the cremains as long as it’s not out of anger or revenge.” Melcher-Sowers even offer to help families with

the spreading of the cremains. Also according to Tangeman, he has seen items such as money; fishing poles, beer cans etc. be placed in the casket prior to cremation. These items may be cremated with the descendent if the family and friends choose to do so. Final resting place of the cremains is not limited. A

family may choose to have the cremains buried in a small plot in a cemetery or placed in an urn and remain with a loved one. There are also buildings on some cemetery grounds where the urn can be placed in a small niche in the wall where it is sealed up and a plaque states the name and dates of the deceased.

Salm-McGill & Tangeman has a variety of urns available to hold entire cremains including detailed metal urns to custom made wood urns featuring Ohio State University or various cartoon characters. There also are smaller urns

which may be purchased individually or as a set if a family decides to share the cremains of a loved one with different members of the family. Jewelry that holds a small amount of ashes is also available for purchase.

Cremation

The cremation process for a pet is very similar to that of a human.However, pets and humans must be handled in different space where the deceased is actually cremated. A private pet cremation can cost anywhere from $130 and up depending on the size of the animal. If a memorial service for the pet is sought after then that would be a separate cost. Distribution of a pets cremains follow the same laws as a human. David Cron Mortuary Service of Fletcher handles a large number of pet cremations. For specific information visit the website at www.cronmortuaryservice.com .

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6 A PUBLICATION OF THE I-75 NEWSPAPER GROUP • JUNE 2012 also keepsakes that people can keep in the pocket after,” he said. Three small pieces can be LifeStory Medallions are an- attached inside the casket other personalization option. and then removed before The medallions are about 6- burial. Many people choose inches in diameter and are to include the person’s place magnetized. Messages in- in the family, such as clude “Loving Father” and “grandpa” or “loving father.” Family members can then “Honor and Courage.” Jerry Sowers, funeral di- hold on to the special keeprector of Melcher-Sowers sake. The fabric inside also Funeral Home in Piqua,said can vary. Satin, crepe and the personalized corners are velvet are all options.For the a popular customization op- casket itself, metal is more tion at his funeral home too. popular than wood.“It all de“If someone’s mother died pends on what you want to and she liked knitting, for spend,” Sowers said. Sarver example, you could have a said many more fabric opdesign that reflected that,” tions are available today. “It used to be just crepe or velhe said. Sowers said a wide vari- vet interior,but now a lot are ety of images are available, coming out with cotton for a with everything from pray- more tailored look instead of ing hands to a baseball glove. ruffles,” Sarver said. He’s But casket personalization also had customers select doesn’t stop there.“There are denim or basket weave,

Casket personalization

BY NATALIE KNOTH Staff Writer nknoth@tdnpublishing.com

uneral homes are offering more personalization for caskets than ever before. Brian Sarver, owner of Jackson-Sarver Funeral Homes in Pleasant Hill and Covington,said personalization has grown more popular over the years. “Every family is different. Some want a very personalized casket; others want traditional,” he said. The panel of the casket, on the inside of the lid,can be customized with embroidery. “We’ve had people handwrite poems,and (the panel) can even be in their own

handwriting,” Sarver said. Other popular personalization items include LifeSymbols Corners and LifeStories Medallions, produced by Batesville Casket Company. The corners feature designs that signify the deceased’s place in the family, interests or occupation. Themes include “patriotism, gardening, sports, family relationships, and spirituality,” according to the Batesville Casket Company website. Sarver said customers have opted for American flags, flowers, military emblems, angels and more. “There seems to be more personalization with the change of generation,” Sarver said, referring to the Baby Boomer generation.

which is a textured fabric. Another personalization at the far end of the spectrum is wrapping caskets with a mural related to one’s occupation or hobbies. Sarver said he had a customer request a firefighter-themed design.“When you look at it, it looks like a picture,”Sarver said. “Not a lot to do it because it’s a little extreme,but it looks very nice.” Louis Gehret,owner of Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie, said some customers choose personalized panels. “You can insert panels that represent their life. Some say ‘Going Home’ or John Deere,” he said. Some caskets also have horizontal ridges in the back panel for displaying pictures. Though he hasn’t had any customers choose it, one customization option is an off-white wood casket, which allows people

to write messages. Gehret said this option might be used for a young deceased person. Gehret said a person’s love of sports also can be highlighted.OSU fans,for example,can have a red and gray casket. “You can actually purchase a coffin that is similar to the crimson and silver, and the family can bring in memorabilia,” Gehret said. While sports themes are not very popular at his funeral home, Gehret said families have included memorabilia next to the casket. “It’s not uncommon to have a jersey sitting out, but it’s usually not the whole theme.” With all the choices, funeral homes are certainly not short on individualized designs.“Today is big on personalization corners,panels and keepsakes,”Sowers said. “It’s celebrating their life.”

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History, mystery live on in old cemeteries

BY TERRY PELLMAN Staff Writer sdn@sdnccg.com

ave you ever visited the McKinney Cemetery? How about the Davey Cemetery? The first is in Shelby County, the second in Miami County. But both are considered to be lost. One may think of few things having more permanence that a final resting place. After all, we set property aside for burial grounds,we take ownership

of a small plot to use for the burial of ourselves or a loved one, and then place a small monument there that appears to be ready to withstand the passage of time for all ages. In our quest for at least an illusion of earthly immortality, we engrave the name, years of birth and death, and may even adorn the marker with some evidence of the departed’s hobbies. At certain times of the year, or in a wave of emotion, we may take flowers to the grave, or even speak to

the deceased to preserve a sense of continuing relationship or to simply comfort ourselves. However, as generations come and go, living links to those buried in our cemeteries also pass away. In some cases,new burials cease due to a lack of plots. Or a cemetery may become inactive due to economic conditions

or population shifts. Such burial grounds are then left to the care of those who either feel an obligation to maintain them,or to local governments with a statutory obligation to do so. For whatever reason, Miami and Shelby counties contain cemeteries that are abandoned, and for all practical purposes, forgotten.

There are also instances in which a cemetery is later determined to have been located in an inconvenient place. That was the case in Piqua when it was decided to build the Piqua Medical Center. Gary Meek works in the genealogy and history section of the Piqua Public Library, and explains that the

decision was made to build the facility on the site of a cemetery.Meek saidthat the families of the interred were given free plots at Forrest Hill Cemetery. The caveat was that the cost of the move was at the expense of the families and friends. Meek says it is See History /Page 8

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History Continued from page 7 believed that about a third of the bodies buried there were never moved. Meek also points out that some families moved the stone but left the “departed” in place.As construction,expansion and renovation took place, workers would occasionally come upon the remains of those left behind. Cemeteries captivate the imagination of many a history buff. One Shelby County resident who has gone to great lengths to assemble data on Shelby County cemeteries is Barbara Adams. She worked in conjunction with Gene Mozley to compile the book, “Memorial Records of Shelby County, Ohio 1819 –

1975.” The book can be found at the Ross Historical Center in Sidney. This exhaustive work also pays tribute to Paul A. Sherman, who had also done a great amount of research during the 1930’s. The preface of the book cites several other local residents who contributed much to the study of area cemeteries. The book contains a stunning amount of detail. It gives locations when available, and even lists the details on legible markers. In 2007, the Miami County Historical and Genealogical Society put together a booklet on Miami County cemeteries that is a valuable guide to anyone who wishes the study the

subject. Also at the Piqua Library is the Ohio Genealogical Society book covering all Ohio cemeteries by county and township. Much of the information in this article was taken from that 2003 text. That book includes information on the size and conditions of cemeteries and lists if they served specified clienteles such as Catholics or those of the Hebrew faith. Joann Shoffner of Sidney is dedicated to preserving history in various manners, including her study of cemeteries. Her interest was spurred by her mother, who spent much time visiting Graceland Cemetery in Sidney. The two would travel there by cab, and then spend time touring the

grounds. Shoffner later took up the hobby, and for the past fifteen years has studied the sites. Shoffner has amassed a collection of 20,798 photographs she has taken at cemeteries, and has records of nearly 30,000 graves. In addition, she has placed over 38,000 flowers at grave sites over the years. She even tracks new listings of old graves as they are found and entered on the web site. She encourages people to visit the “findagrave” website to begin a search for a grace or cemetery. Shoffner has found that the internet is a treasure trove for those with such an interest. The Sidney woman has taken special interest in some Shelby County burial

grounds. She was a visitor to the McClure Cemetery prior to the reclamation efforts. That site is located on Kuther Road.It is a quartermile from the road, and had become overgrown. A group of women restored the Medaris Cemetery on Dingman-Slagle Road, which had become overgrown. One one visit, Shoffner climbed over a fence and walked nearly three-fourths of a mile to reach it in the course of doing research for a family who lived in another state. Thanks to the volunteers, markers are being raised and supported. Shoffner speaks of the Carey Cemetery north of Hardin, where she has many relatives buried.That

is another example of a once-abandoned site that has been made presentable through the extensive work of many volunteers and assistance from township officials. In the past, one had to walk through fields to reach it, but it now is accessible by way of a residential lane. Not all get restored. Shoffner visited a cemetery on Lock-Two Road at which all that could be found was two markers that had been propped up against a fence. She notes that the Lennox Cemetery on 25-A north of Sidney was cleaned up by a group of Boy Scouts. Shoffner has also visited the Toland cemetery on Wells Road in Dinsmore See History /Page 9

Your Y our Legacy, o Leg gac y, Y Your our ur Way ay. y.

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Wilson Memorial Hospit Hospital al ttakes a es gr ak great eat pride in its Ž Ɖƌ ŽǀŝĚĞ ĂĂīŽƌĚĂďůĞ͕ īŽƌĚĂďůĞ͕ ƋƵĂůŝƚǇ ŚĞĂůƚŚ ĐĂƌĞ ĐĂƌĞ ƚƚŽ Ž ƚŚĞ ĂďŝůŝƚǇ ƚƚŽ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ĐŝƟǌĞŶƐ ĐŝƟǌ ĞŶƐ ŽĨ ŽƵƌ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ͘ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ͘ t tŝƚŚ ǇǇŽƵƌ ŽƵƌ ŚĞůƉ͕ tŝůƐŽŶ DĞŵŽƌŝĂů ǁŝůů ĐĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƚŽ ƚŽ ŵĞ ŵĞĞƚ ĞĞƚ ƚŚĞ ŵĞĚŝĐ ŵĞĚŝĐĂů Ăů ŶĞĞĚƐ ĨŽƌ ĨŽƌ ǇŽƵ͕ ǇŽƵ͕ ǇŽƵƌ ǇŽƵƌ ĨĂŵŝůǇ͕ ĨĂŵŝůǇǇ͕ ĂŶĚ ŶĞŝŐŚďŽƌƐ͘ ŶĞŝŐŐŚďŽƌƐ͘ WůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌ ũŽŝŶŝŶŐ ƵƐ ŝŶ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƟŶŐ tŝůƐŽŶ͛Ɛ tŝůƐŽ ŽŶ͛Ɛ ĞīŽƌƚƐ ĞīŽƌƚƐ ƚŽ ƚŽ ŽīĞƌ ŽīĞƌ ĞĞǆĐĞƉƟŽŶĂů ǆĐĞƉƟŽŶĂů ŵĞĚŝĐĂů ŵĞĚŝĐĂů ƐĞƌ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ǀŝĐĞƐ ƚƚŽĚĂǇ ŽĚĂǇ ĂŶĚ ĨĨŽƌ Žƌ ĨƵƚƵƌ ĨƵƚƵƌĞĞ ŐŐĞŶĞƌĂƟŽŶƐ͘͟ ĞŶĞƌĂƟŽŶƐ͘͟ - Mik Mike ke Dodds, Chairman tŝůƐŽŶ DĞŵŽƌŝĂů ,ŽƐƉŝƚ ,ŽƐƉŝƚĂů Ăů &&ŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶ ŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶ

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is likely located. She has also come across a list of the ten individuals buried there. One was the 1870 burial of a four year-old girl. Cynthian Township has the Angel Street Cemetery, three miles west of Hardin. It is located between Route 47 and Wright-Moyer Road on the west side of CecilWolke Road. In Dinsmore Township is the Curts Cemetery, but in an unknown location. It is believed to be in the Old Loramie Valley cemetery, one half mile south of Botkins near the intersection of state Route 29 and LockTwo Road on County Road 25-A. Similarly, the Morris Cemetery location is unknown. If you walk in Loramie Township north of Houston

and east of State Route 66 and south of Stoker Road, you can stroll through fields and come to the AustinWicks Cemetery. Also in Loramie Township was the Dawson Cemetery, the location of which was listed as unknown. Loramie Township also holds the Wyatt Cemetery, somewhere near Houston and close to State Route 66. It is listed as destroyed and plowed under. Perry Township once held the Sturms Cemetery, listed as simply gone. It was believed to have been south of Pemberton, neat the intersection of Dormire and Johnston Roads. Perry Township also held theWagoner Cemetery,now See History /Page 10

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Township. The most recent burial there was in 1905, when Martha Iiams was laid to rest. Shoffner also visited the Coles Chapel Cemetery prior to the restoration efforts there. Some burials there were as recent as the 1920’s. The Coles Chapel M.E. Church was located there. When visiting a very old cemetery, Shoffner tried to get at least a minimal amount of information from the headstones, even if they were so badly worn and weathered that they appeared to be illegible. To do so, she would apply bath powder to the surface, and then brush the area to reveal the remains of the etchings. Shoffner has even traveled to cemeteries in West Virginal, working among markers behind grass that was as high as her hips. Some cemeteries were in very poor condition before anyone decided to again maintain them. In Miami County, the Smith-KnifeMillion Cemetery location is on the east side of South Worley Road, adjacent to the Homestead Golf Course. That burial ground is in such disarray that the 14 markers are stacked around the base of a tree. Some are simply so far off the beaten path that care is not feasible. Lost Creek Township is home to the Youtsey Cemetery on the west slide of Lost-Creek Shelby Road north of TroyUrbana Road. The location of the Davey Cemetery is unknown. It is believed to be on the west side of Sodom Road north of Troy-Urbana Road,There is speculation that it could be what is known as the Bright

County. The Old Dunkard Cemetery is one mile east of Pasco, near the intersection of State Route 29 and Frazier-Geuy Road. And the Pepper Cemetery was also located in a field near Pasco, and is believed to have been moved to the Cedar Point Cemetery. A cemetery may be quite small. The Depp Cemetery LUKE GRONNEBERG/SDN PHOTO west of Maplewood is beMike Lundy and Abigail Deeter, both of Sidney, in- lieved to hold two upright spect a tombstone at Carey Cemetery just north of stones, and travel through Hardin. Lundy lives near the graveyard and is work- fields is required to visit it. ing to maintain it. Another lost burial Cemetery in Lost Creek believed to have served or ground was the Indian are currently serving as Mound Cemetery It is beTownship. Similarly, the Loxley- cemeteries.Some have quite lieved to be located north of Cisco Road. Wise Cemetery is some- interesting names. In Washington Township There is the Pioneer where in Newberry is one spot known alterTownship in Miami County. Cemetery in Green Townnately as Rasor, Razor or It is listed as lost, but be- ship and the Old Pioneer Razer, and listed as being at lieved to have been located Cemetery in Plattsville. Green Township also an unknown location, but on the west side of Bradford Road. Also in Newberry hosts an unnamed cemetery believed to be near the Township, The Old Cable- that could possibly be the south end of Lockington. Stade-Staudt Cemetery same as the Hodge Ceme- Shoffner plans on finding near Rangeline and Day- tery, believed to have been that cemetery. A business ton-Covington Roads was possibly been in Logan owner has told her where it listed as “vandalized and abandoned”. Sometimes cemeteries are abandoned,but the bodies moved. Staunton Township had Forrest School Cemetery. Graves were moved to what is now Riverside Cemetery. For Alternatives, Confusion may set in Contact Us For A FREE, over time as to the actual names of cemeteries. In No Obligation Consultation Union Township the Old Milton Cemetery is now considered to be in an unknown location. There was some speculation that it could be the same as the Riverside Cemetery. Investment Management for Miami Valley Retirees Similarly, the Old Milton Cemetery and theWest Mil322 West Main Street, Troy ton Cemetery referred to in (937) 335-7700 records could be the same, jon@joncoomer.com • www.joncoomer.com and now part of Riverside. Investment Advisor Representative with and securities and investment advisory In Shelby County, there services offered through Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. Member FINRA, are approximately 101 sites SIPC and Registered Investment Advisor. TFA and Coomer & Company 2289121

Continued from page 8

10 A PUBLICATION OF THE I-75 NEWSPAPER GROUP • JUNE 2012

History

Rules, regulations vary among cemeteries

listed as having an unknown location. It was somewhere south of Pasco. Salem Township held the Staley Cemetery, now also listed as lost. It was believed to have been located a mile west of Port Jefferson, on a hilltopalongtheGreatMiami River. Turtle Creek Township has a lost cemetery known as Beverly(orEverly)Cemetery. AnotherknownasMcKinney is lost, thought to be near Hardin. WashingtonTownshipalso hosts the Marshall Cemeteries#1and#2.Theyarewestof Sidney and South of Hardin off of Smalley Road. A burial site can tell us much about ourselves and our history. Shoffner is saddened by the state of several segregated cemeteries where African-Americans were interred. She would like to visit the Redman Cemetery west of the intersection of Amsterdam and Staley Roads in Shelby County, but it is difficult to get to. Many settlers from the community of Rumley were buried there,the last known burial taking place in 1890. Another similar cemetery near Kettlersville hosts more than 20 graves, and Shoffner knows of another along State Route 274. Van Buren Township is hometoasingle-burial“cemetery” that may hold a special senseofpoignancy.TheHines grave location is near the intersection of State Route 29 and Wells Road. Its single burial was that of a black soldier from the Civil War, who served in the 9th OhioVolunteer Cavalry. His name was WilliamHines,andhedidnot gettoenjoypeacetimeforvery long. He died on Aug. 6, 1865, age 23.

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the cost for the foundation for the tombstone or marker. Whether the foundation is poured concrete or a slab affects the price.So does a person’s veteran status, as veterans qualify for burial benefits. The day a person is buried also determines final cost. Grave opening and closing costs vary for a traditional coffin or burial urn for ashes. Weekday costs go from $250 to $600. Those who are buried on the weekends or holidays incur additional costs. And each cemetery has its own rules about which holidays it does not handle burials. If a body needs to be relocated, the costs to disinter will be about $1,500 to $1,725. And who has authority to move a body de-

pends on relationship or a court order. As a rule, cemeteries are open dawn to dusk. Some have other posted hours. Pets are not allowed in some cemeteries. Others allow them on a leash. No cemetery allows alcohol on the grounds. The same goes for glass bottles or other containers. Some allow great flexibility in grave decorations.Others have stricter guidelines. And the time of the year determines what is acceptable, as well. When someone buys a burial plot, it is theirs forever. If you are buried there, your remains will remain there. In some other countries, families only lease a burial plot for so many years. That is not the case

here. Some cemeteries will buy back a plot if it is not used. They will refund only what they were paid. It’s the law. And some allow people to resell their plots if they only receive what they paid for it. Every cemetery is unique. Each has their own rules and regulations. Ask to see them when shopping for a burial plot. Here’s a breakdown for a representative sampling of area cemeteries. Forest Hill Cemetery, Piqua: The cemetery offers traditional burial plots for $475 each. A plot for ashes costs $300.While they do not have a mausoleum at this time, the cemetery is developing one for ashes that See Rules /Page 11

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hile the real estate market may not be the strongest right now, there is one property that is always in demand. It is the property where just about everyone resides forever — the cemetery plot. Although there are statewide rules and regulations that govern the operation of cemeteries in Ohio, there is diversity in final resting places in Miami and Shelby counties. Here is a recap of what a handful of cemeteries offer. Among cemeteries checked, a burial plot went for as little as $450 and as high as $600. Most cemeteries only sell plots individu-

ally. One offered a discount for buying two at a time. For those who are cremated, a variety of options are available. Some cemeteries offer only the traditional burial plots for the final resting place for someone’s ashes. Some allow two to four containers of ashes to be interred in a burial plot. Some allow a traditional burial and ashes to be buried in the same plot. For those who prefer to locate their bodies above ground for eternity, some cemeteries offer mausoleums. And there are differences in prices for traditional remains or ashes. Costs can vary from $550 to $2,900 for above ground placement. When it comes time to set a marker in place, there is

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11 A PUBLICATION OF THE I-75 NEWSPAPER GROUP • JUNE 2012

Rules

should be completed later this year. Costs to inter ashes are $250 weekdays, $600 Saturdays and $825 Sundays and holidays. Traditional grave openings and closings are $475 weekdays, $800 Saturdays and $1,025 on Sundays and holidays. There are no burials on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Independence Day or Thanksgiving Day. There are limitations on grave decorations. As a guideline, they ask people not to use styrofoam decorations because they break up too easily. Burial plots may be resold by purchasers. Of a plot is not utilized, it stays vacant. Graceland Cemetery, Sidney: Single gravesites

are $495. Multiple interments of ashes are permitted, up to four. Separate plots for urns with ashes will be $320. Cremation niches are available in a mausoleum for $840.Traditional burial drawers are $2,900. Those figures include all costs. The cost for opening and closing a grave is $590 weekdays until 4 p.m. After that time and on Saturdays the cost is an additional $440. On Sundays there is an additional $700 charge and on holidays the extra fee is $770. Graves are not opened and closed on holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day and Thanksgiving. You can purchase a slab

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for a foundation for a marker for $171-$595. Veteran’s cost is $248 and flush granite markers are $30. The cemetery follows the usual policies of allowing no alcohol or glass bottles. Flowers for Memorial Day may be placed on graves a week before and after the holiday. Cemetery officials ask that no decorative rocks, garden stones, styrofoam, shepherd’s hooks or glass/ceramic items be placed on gravesites. They do, however, allow winter wreaths. As with the other cemeteries, once a person buys a burial place it is theirs forever. It cannot be reclaimed by the cemetery. However, it can be resold to another person at the same price for which it was purchased.

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