MCKEE CEMETERY

TOO MANY TO LIST

Posted By: Nancee Seifert (email)
Date: 10/13/2014 at 08:59:20

MCKEE CEMETERY.

It was a beautiful day yesterday -- so I headed for McKee Cemetery,
following the directions that Tracy and Dean had given me. (Or so I thought
.. ha.) Instead of turning at an intersection, I went straight and was one
road too far south; and then I met a lady on a 4-wheeler with 2, 5-gallon
buckets, picking up pop cans along the sides of the roads.. (We Iowans say
pop' and others say 'soda', yes??) She was very friendly and pointed me to
the right road, etc. You may remember me talking about the WEST gravestones
and the people who own the land now -- that I had talked to the fellow there
. Well, this lady is his wife.

So, I finally found it! There is a green road sign that says IRIS ROAD and
the lane goes up from there. Since it was still a little wet, I decided to
grab my camera and walk up -- it could be a stress test for the heart!!
Mine was beating a bit faster anyway.. How in the world did they take the
deceased up that road with horses? I didn't take my witching wires or pry
bar, but will next time!!

This cemetery is in a beautiful area - and so very quiet and peaceful.. It
is in such a sad state of disrepair that it about broke my heart. Why? Does
anybody know why it isn't cared for with any kind of tenderness? I would
be more than happy to help with clean up and re-setting stones and whatever
needs to be done.. I believe the Boy Scouts sometime help with these
restorations.. I know they built a small park area with benches and plants
at the back of the Leon Library parking area.. A sweet little oasis..

Well, I am going to put the pictures I was able to take, on the IAGENWEB
Gravestone photos when I get the time.. I hope no one is 'incensed' that I
used chalk to read them... It will wash off easily with the rain..

Some years ago, probably 25 or so, my sister was the township clerk for
Liberty Township in Lucas County -- near Oakley. She and my brother-in-law
mowed and cared for 4 old cemeteries. She said at that time they hand
clipped around every stone (not having gas trimmers then) and they were very
proud of the upkeep they were doing.. She also said that the Lucas Co.
Auditor told her to have someone come in and repair all the stones -- so she
found a local guy and his son who were more than happy to repair them.. The
Auditor said it was the Township Clerk's responsibility to see to it that
the cemeteries were kept in good repair.

I have (as I said in previous notes) talked to several Township Clerks for
Decatur Co. and get absolutely NOTHING BACK.. I asked the County Recorder
who was 'over' these Clerks and he said he had no idea... I COULD USE SOME
HELP HERE FOLKS... These older cemeteries are fast disappearing due to
ignorance and disrespect for those buried there..

Well, I left there about 3:30, although I wish I had packed my supper and
taken a blanket to sleep on -- would have spent the night there.. I am so
drawn to these cemeteries I cannot even explain it.
(Also thought about getting myself a nice stick and hopping the fence to
look for 'shrooms' -- it is about that time, you know....) My Best
Regards, Nancee