Nov 12

Tombstone Tuesday-Wreaths Across America

The day after Veterans Day is a good day to mention Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization that organizes volunteers who place wreaths on veterans’ tombstones on a specified day in December.

This year National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, 14 December 2024. On that day, volunteers will gather at more than 4,000 participating locations across the country to remember and honor our nation’s heroes, one wreath at a time.

Arlington National Cemetery, 2010, Flickr [1]

The mission of Wreaths across America is threefold: Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.

Remember: Sponsor a veteran’s wreath in honor of or in memory of a loved one who served in our armed forces. Or sponsor a wreath and allow Wreaths across America to designate a recipient among the millions of veterans who rest in honored glory.

Honor: Volunteer with Wreaths across America as they honor our veterans throughout the year. Opportunities include laying wreaths locally, leading a sponsorship group, or coordinating a ceremony location.

Teach: Invite friends, family, coworkers, and organizations to join Wreaths across America as they strive to honor every veteran, helping to support and spread the word of their mission.

You can volunteer several ways: sponsor a wreath, volunteer, partner with Wreaths across America on National Wreaths across America Day, or sponsor a specific cemetery or Local Sponsorship Group.

There are several ways to sponsor a wreath or any number of wreaths:

Pair a Wreath: Pair a sponsored wreath with a gift wreath which is delivered to your home or to a loved-one or friend.

In Honor and Memory Of: Sponsor wreaths in honor of living veterans or in memory of those who have passed, with the option to include email or mailed gift cards. [2]

Wreaths Across America also has merchandise and gear for sale on their website, so you can show support, spread information about the organization, and for gift giving.  

Their live balsam wreaths come from the Worcester Wreath Company, a family farm in Maine that is also a proud sponsor of Wreaths across America. The wreaths are made in Maine and each comes with a red velvet ribbon. 

I usually purchase their Pair a Wreath. I receive a wreath for myself and Wreaths Across America designates a recipient for the other wreath I purchase, my sponsored wreath.

Herbert & Florence (Schumm) Miller, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio (2022 photo by Karen)

I ordered my Wreaths Across America wreath pair last week. I will place my wreath at my parents’ gravestone, in honor of my dad, a WWII veteran. The wreath I sponsored will be placed at a tombstone somewhere on National Wreaths Across America Day.   

What a special way to honor our nation’s veterans and decorate a gravesite with a beautiful Christmas wreath as well. 

[1] Flickr photo, taken 11 Dec 2010, uploaded 14 Dec 2010, https://www.flickr.com/photos/walmartcorporate/with/5262055852/ , Creative Commons License, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/# .

[2] Their website: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

Nov 08

Rededication of Lima DAR Historic Marker

This past Wednesday, 6 November, the Lima Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) rededicated a 70-year-old historic marker in Lima.

The marker was originally erected and dedicated by the Lima Chapter DAR on 7 November 1954 to mark the site of Lima’s first cemetery and the burial site of Revolutionary War Minuteman, Pvt. Elijah Stites. The plaque was mounted on the outer wall of what was then the Allen County Lumber Company warehouse, 220 North Central Avenue.

Historic marker dedication, 7 Nov 1954

After 70 years, the plaque had weathered and needed refinishing. The Lima Chapter DAR raised funds for the project and Classic Bronze Resources, Iowa, did the restoration work.

Plaque before restoration

Pvt. Elijah Stites (1758-1843) was born in Essex, New Jersey, and during the American Revolution he was a Minuteman in the Essex County Militia 1st Regiment. He was a color bearer at Yorktown when the British Army surrendered to George Washington on 19 October 1781. He was in the Battle of Monmouth, and he continued on as a soldier through 1788, stationed at Old Redstone Fort near Pittsburgh.

After the war, Pvt. Elijah Stites eventually made his way to Lima, where he died 6 January 1843.

Pvt. Elijah Stites was buried in Lima’s first burial ground, Tanner Street Cemetery, a public burial ground begun about 1832. The cemetery was located on the east edge of the young town, on Tanner Street, which is now Central Avenue.

By 1850, Tanner Street Cemetery was nearly full and new burials were forbidden. Families were asked to transfer the remains of their loved ones to a new cemetery a few blocks away.

However, not all the bodies were moved to the new location.

The body of Pvt. Elijah Stites was not disturbed. His body remained in the original burial ground.

By 1873, Tanner Street Cemetery was abandoned and in 1885 part of the property was sold for use as a lumberyard.

The cemetery was forgotten until 1919, when building excavations unearthed wooden coffins and human remains. There were no cemetery records and the remains could not be identified. The remains were left buried there and a building was erected over what was once Tanner Street Cemetery.

On 7 November 1954, the Lima Chapter DAR erected and dedicated the historic plaque to mark the burial place of Pvt. Elijah Stites and the site of Lima’s First Cemetery. The plaque was mounted on the outer wall of what was then the Allen County Lumber Company warehouse.

Late in 2023 the marker had to be removed from the building because of building renovations and the Lima Chapter began raising funds for the renovation process. The restored historical plaque:

The restored Lima DAR historical marker.

Some photos from Wednesday’s Plaque Rededication Ceremony:

The historical marker was covered before the ceremony.

DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024

A Minuteman:

DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024

Posting of the Colors:

DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024

OSDAR State Regent Susan Leininger:

Susan Leininger, OSDAR State Regent

Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith:

Sharetta Smith, Lima Mayor

County Commissioner Cory Noonan:

Cory Noonan, County Commissioner

Tim Jackson, of Charles Construction & Lima DAR Regent Lana Gerber:

Tim Jackson & Lima Regent Lana Gerber

The historical marker is unveiled:

DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024

DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024

A group photo:

DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024

Appropriately, the historical marker rededication was less than a week before Veterans Day, next Monday.  

Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day and was created to commemorate of the end of World War I. Fighting between the Allied Nations and Germany ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. That date is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Armistice Day became a legal holiday on 11 November 1938, primarily to honor World War I veterans and dedicated to the cause of world peace. After World War II and the Korean War the name was changed to Veterans Day.

On 1 June 1954 Veterans Day became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

To all veterans, thank you for your service to our country. We owe you so much.

Nov 05

Tombstone Tuesday-Fall Trees

We were in the Archbold area a couple weeks ago, viewing the beautiful fall foliage, looking through a cemetery, and even driving through a covered bridge.

Lockport Cemetery is located on the other side of the Lockport covered bridge.

Lockport covered bridge & Lockport Cemetery in the distance. (2024 photo by Karen)

A view of the Lockport bridge from the cemetery.

Lockport covered bridge (2024 photo by Karen)

The entrance to the Lockport Cemetery.

Lockport Cemetery (2024 photo by Karen)

A large woods is located near the cemetery and the engraving on this tombstone mirrored the nearby trees.

Lockport Cemetery, near Archbold, Ohio (2024 photo by Karen)

This man’s tombstone tells a lot about him. The beautifully engraved fall trees and outdoor scenes indicate that he liked the outdoors and hunting and fishing. And he was a Cleveland Indians fan.

What a good example of how tombstone artwork can show someone’s interests. 

 

Nov 01

Veterans Buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chatt

Here we are, the first day of November. Where does the time go?

There are a number of veteran and military-related holidays, events, and observances in November:

National Veterans & Military Family Month

Warrior Care Month

National Family Caregivers Month (includes those who care for veterans living with illness or injury resulting from military service)

National Veterans Small Business Week–29 October – 2 November

Marine Corps Day/Birthday–10 November

Veterans Day–11 November

Armistice/Remembrance Day–11 November

Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November, on 28 November this year.

A number of U.S. veterans are buried in Zion Chatt’s cemetery. Three served in WWI, five served in WWII, and one served in Vietnam. Most served in the U.S. Army, but two served in the U.S. Navy. Most have flagstaffs, but three do not, George Eckrote, Paul Eichler, and Oscar Heffner.

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio, Memorial Day 2017. (2017 photo by Karen)

Veterans buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio:

Thomas E. Brandt (1926-2008) U.S. Army, WWII
Donald L. Caffee (1932-2015) U.S. Army
George R. Eckrote (1929-2015) U.S. Army
Paul Eichler (1928-2017) U.S. Army
Albert C. Heffner (1888-1945) U.S. Army, WWI (Balloon Company)
Oscar F. Heffner (1896-1956) U.S. Army, WWI
Robert E. Humbert (1923-2007) U.S. Army, WWII
George Wesley Kallenberger (1906-1992) U.S. Navy Seabees, WWII
Edward J. Kuehm (1892-1922) U.S. Army, WWI
Kenneth L. Lautzenheiser (1934-2006) U.S. Army
Glenn N. Miller (1923-1994) U.S. Army, WWII
Herbert M. Miller (1925-2012) U.S. Army, WWII
Kent Whitacre (1947-2012) U.S. Navy, Vietnam

We remember these veterans and their service to our country.

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio, Memorial Day 2017. (2017 photo by Karen)

Lastly, since this is the first of November, in a couple days we get to catch up on that hour of sleep we lost last Spring. Don’t forget to set your clocks back early Sunday morning.

Oct 29

Tombstone Tuesday-William P. & Alma I. (Brown) Linn

William P & Alma I (Brown) Linn, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio (2024 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of William P. and Alma I. (Brown) Linn, located in Ward 22, row 7, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

LINN
William P.
Feb. 19, 1908
June 4, 1993
Alma I.
(Brown)
April 5, 1913
Sep 18, 2004

Their tombstone is also engraved with the name surname Gardner, their daughter Norma Jean and her husband Robert L.

William Petter Linn was born in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on 19 February 1908, the son of Henry (1871-1934) and Margaret (Deitsch) (1877-1964) Linn. [1] William’s middle name is spelled Petter on both his county birth record and his Draft Registration card.

In 1910 William Linn, age 2 years, was enumerated with his parents and siblings in Liberty Township, Mercer County. His siblings in 1910 were [Carl] John, 13; Edward, 11; Andy, 9; Valentine, 7; Urban, 6; Paul, 6; and [Eda] Caroline, 1 month. [2]

In 1930, William and three of his siblings, Valentine, Urban, and Hilda, still lived at home with their parents.

William Linn married Alma Brown on 3 March 1934 in Mercer County, married by Rev. Alfred J.A. Wahl. According to their marriage record, William was a farmer and Alma was a housekeeper. [3]

Alma Irene Brown was born in Butler Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on 5 April 1913, the daughter of Rie (1886-1933) and Ethel (Snider) (1896-1989) Brown. [3] 

The Rie Brown family in 1920: Rie, 34; Ethel, 24; and Alma, 6. Rie Brown was a farmer. [4] By 1930 the Rie Brown family had grown to included four children: Alma J, 17; Wanda M, 8; Donald N, 6; and Paul, 2. [5]

William and Irene married in 1934 and by 1940 they had one child, Norma Jean, age 5. [6]

In 1950 William, Alma, and their daughter Norma Jean resided in rural Washington Township, on the Washington-Butler Township line. William’s occupation was production line worker in the farm machinery industry, which was likely at New Idea. [7]

William Linn died in the Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater, Ohio, on 4 June 1993, aged 85.

His widow Alma Irene (Brown) Linn died at the Celina Manor Nursing Home on 18 September 2004, aged 91. She was survived by her daughter, Norma Jean (Robert) Gardner, Celina; two brothers, Don Brown of New Knoxville and Paul Brown of Celina; a sister, Wanda Shively, St. Marys; six grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

[1] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003,” Mercer, Liberty Births, William Petter Linn, 19 Feb 1908; FamilySearch.org.  

[2] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 119, p.9A, dwelling 156, family 157, Henry Linn; Ancestry.com.

[3] Mercer County Marriages [Ohio], 1920-1947, p.160, William Linn & Alma Irene Brown, 3 Mar 1934; Ancestry.com.

[4] 1920 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Butler, Ed 125, p.11B, dwelling 222, family 225, Rie Brown; Ancestry.com.

[5] 1930 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Washington, ED 27, p.4A, dwelling 75, family 75, Ria Brown [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[6] 1940 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Washington, ED 54-30, p.3A, household 45, William Linn; Ancestry.com.

[7] 1950 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Washington, ED 54-43, p.18, line 27, William P Linn; Ancestry.com.