In 1871, the present Brethren Cemetery was laid out on the Samuel Strayer farm one and one-half miles east of Dallas Center by J. L. Loring.  It was incorporated in 1907.  Originally, it contained only one acre of land.  A number of additions have been made to it through the years.  The first interment in this cemetery was that of Ida Stouffer, 18, in August 1871.

          The Brethren Cemetery is operated by a board of three trustees elected by the church.  The present board includes:  Laurence N. Baldner, chairman; Clair A. Baldner, secretary; and John H. Wise, treasurer.

          To date, there have been 1410 interments.  Improvements have been made and the board tries to maintain the cemetery in as neat and attractive manner as possible.

          The Masonic Cemetery, one mile southwest of Dallas Center was laid out in 1881 by Loring and Lyons.  It was incorporated in 1928.  It originally contained four acres of land.  The total number of interments to date is 471.

          The Masonic Cemetery Inc., is operated by a board of directors.  The present board includes:  Lyle Ramsey, chairman; Harry Royer, vice-chairman; John McDonald, secretary; Gaylord Ellerman, treasurer; John Rhinehart, Henry Moser and Alfred Whitacre, trustees.  Perpetual care is furnished all lot owners.  The board has been active in recent years in establishing cemetery improvements.

          The St.  Mary's Catholic Cemetery, one mile north of Dallas Center was laid out before 1887, containing 20 acres.  The size was reduced in 1954.

          Before cemeteries were established in the community, many burials were made on open prairie or on farmsteads.  Some were later disinterred and moved to the cemetery plots.

          The horse-drawn hearse pictured below was used for a number of years by  H. S. Miller, local undertaker.  He had his place of business including a furniture store in the Brenton-Loring building on main street, the present Hoover Hardware location.  Mr. Miller installed an elevator at the back of the store to move the hearse to the basement for storage when it was not in use.  The hearse was purchased by the Old Order River Brethren and used by them several years.

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