A number of U.S. veterans, 30 at least, are buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm. Two served in WWI, fourteen served in WWII, five served during the Korea era, and two served in Vietnam. One served in the Civil War for certain, although there are four Civil War or GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) flagstaffs in the cemetery. The GAR was an organization for Civil War Veterans.
Most veterans buried at Zion Schumm served in the U.S. Army, but four served in the U.S. Navy, two in the U.S. Marines, and one in the U.S. Air Force. There is one female veteran buried at Zion Schumm.
Pvt. Edgar F. Schumm was killed in action in France during WWII and most likely his tombstone here is what is call a cenotaph, or a monument erected in honor of someone who is buried elsewhere.
Veterans buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Ohio:
Eloise E. (Vanderburg) Alspaugh (1923-2003) U.S. Navy, WWII
Ned J. Alspaugh (1920-2003) U.S. Army, WWII
William O. Baker (1933-2009) U.S. Army, Korea
James R. Baxter (1927-1984) U.S. Army, WWII
Edgar J. Dietrich (1915-1996) U.S. Army, WWII
Henry W. Dietrich (1922-2005) U.S. Army Air Corps, WWII
Nicholas Geisler (1832-1912) 20th Reg. OVI, Civil War
Marvin J. Grote (1936-2022) U.S. Army Reserves
Edward T. Gunsett (1891-1973) U.S. Army, WWI
Paul L. Hofmann (1913-1977) U.S. Army, WWII
Vance D. Krick (1941-1998) U.S. Navy, Vietnam
Edward A. McCullough (1931-2022) U.S. Marines, Korea
Tim E. McCullough (1959-2019) U.S. Navy
Eugene F. Merkle (1936-1999) U.S. Army
Terry J. Post (1949-2022) U.S. Army, Vietnam
Paul A. Roehm Jr (1929-1968) U.S. Army, Korea
Donald T. Salway (1927-1993) U.S. Army, WWII
Harold F. Salway (1925-1996) U.S. Navy, WWII
Alfred W. Schott (1927-2011) U.S. Army, WWII
Charles H Schlemmer (1935-2011) U.S. Army
Pvt. Edgar F. Schumm (1914-1944), WWII, died in France
Emanuel H. Schumm (1892-1973) Ohio Prov Guard Co, WWI
Frederick J. Schumm (1933-2015) U.S. Army, Korea
Harold P. Schumm (1921-1988) U.S. Army Air Corps, WWII
Oswald H. Schumm (1902-1987) U.S. Army, WWII
Richard E. Schumm (1922-1990) U.S. Marines, WWII
Roman C. Schumm (1924-1988) U.S. Army, WWII
Palmer L. Schwartz (1928-2010) U.S. Army
Harold W. Schweyer (1928-2014) U.S. Air Force, Korea
Walter E. Thatcher (1934-2021) U.S. Army
Nicholas Geisler served in the Civil War, Co. G of the 20th OVI, and his flag staff is cast with American War Veteran, 1861-1865. The other three GAR flagstaffs are somewhat of a mystery, although there are connections to the Civil War. One GAR flagstaff is by the tombstone of George Martin Schumm (1812-1871), whose son John Schumm (1843-1864) died at Salisbury, North Carolina, during the Civil War. The second is by the tombstone that marks the graves of three members of the Rodes family, but it appears that all three men died before the Civil War began. Neither Schumm nor the Rodes men would have been GAR members. The third GAR flagstaff is by the tombstone of Johann Buechner (1828-1896). Johann Buechner, per the CW Draft Registrations, Willshire Township, June 1863, age 35, born in Germany, “drafted last fall, has a substitute in service.” He was not listed in the 1890 Veterans Schedule. It appears that he probably did not serve in the Civil War himself but got a substitute to serve in his place.
I tried to include all the veterans buried there. Please let me know if I have omitted anyone from this list.
We remember and honor all the sacrifices these veterans made for us and for our country.
3 comments
This is a great way to honor these veterans and to enable descendants and researchers to find these veterans through online search.
Karen, Loved this article. How were you able to get all names of Veterans? My DAR Chapter is preserving a small cemetery , less than 50 Graves, and are planning a dedication next year. I would like to include small ceremony for Veterans. I know we have one Patriot and at least 3 Civil War. No one has been buried there since early 1900’s. Township records are sketchy and some of GAR markers may be misplaced or missing. Do I just do Genealogy search using all resources on each person in grave yard or is there an easier way? Thanks
Author
Thank you! Your DAR cemetery preservation project sounds great. I had the advantage of knowing this cemetery and the associated church very well. I would say you will have to research the individuals to find out who the veterans were. It may not be as daunting as it sounds. You said the cemetery is small. You would eliminate the children and women. I would look at the birth and death dates for the remaining men, to determine if they would have been the correct age to serve in the military or in a war. The local Legion or VFW may have information. I would check military records on Ancestry.com or Fold3.com. Also look at the 1890 Veterans Schedule. County histories may provide some clues. Find a Grave may have some information as well as the local genealogy society. Our county has some veterans records in the Recorder’s Office. Good luck with your project and thanks for writing.