As generation of Bluffton residents watched without acting, over the decades the Shannon Cemetery fell into disrepair.
Tombstones were broken. Several disappeared. Others were tossed into the creek bank while fallen trees knocked over additional stones. Well-meaning persons apparently replaced some stones in wrong locations.
Efforts to fix what damage was done over those decades began a few years ago as Dick Boehr took the project on. His cemetery proposal has previously been posted in the Icon.
As his efforts proceeded some objections were raised about the direction of those plans.
Bluffton council meetings this spring and summer served as primary discussion session on the cemetery’s future. This summer, Judy Augsburger, Bluffton mayor, appointed a Shannon Cemetery Commission to oversee the cemetery.
The commission’s first meeting was Aug. 6 at Maple Crest.
Here is a report on that meeting:
“The only purpose of this project is to uphold and honor those who rest here in the Shannon Cemetery,” Boehr said, as the cemetery discussion opened.
To Boehr’s comment Darryl Huber, audience member, replied: “We want to see (all the stones) returned.”
The discussion following continued with give and take from all sides. Fourteen persons attended the meeting, in addition to the 11 commission members.
Commission members include: John Murray, Evan Skilliter, Fred Rodabaugh, Bob Amstutz, Nathan Ulrey, Samuel Diller, Richard Boehr, Harriett Moyer, Jesse Blackburn, David Steiner and the mayor. Paula Scott, a non-voting member, is the commission recorder.
Ulrey, chair of the commission, distributed 3 ½-inch thick notebooks to commission members containing all the information about the cemetery that he was able to locate prior to the meeting.
Speaking on the commission’s purpose, Ulrey said: “I want this to be transparent and for everyone to be on the same playing field. We need to collaborate together. This is a group effort. I’m willing to work with every one. I’m neutral here. I realize there are emotions involved.”
His remarks were not well accepted by several persons attending. Susan King responded by stating that several members of the commission are not neutral and shouldn’t be on the commission.
Roger Warren, Bluffton council member, (not a commission member) said, “If people want to point fingers, go back to the Richland Township trustees and complain to them.” He referred to the fact that the trustees owned the cemetery until a few years ago.
The initial meeting lasted 90 minutes. No official action was taken except to set the next commission meeting date, which is 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 3, at Maple Crest.
