By  SYDNEY KENT

The divide between dilapidation and transformation has continued to close in a small, old cemetery off State Road 1 in Ossian. The Captain Williams Wells Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution contributed to the project recently.

A restored headstone at the old Ossian Cemetery, with many bright, clean headstones behind it. Around them, there are buds of new grass growing. The stone reads: Margaret, Wife of G.M. Brown. Died April 21, 1877. Aged 33 years, 11 Months, and 14 Days. (Photo by Sydney Kent)

Meredythe Fritz, regent of the Captain William Wells Chapter since 2020 and D.A.R. Member since 2004, said the chapter was excited about the opportunity to participate in the form of a donation.

“Larry Heckber reached out to the Captain William Wells chapter and asked if we would like to provide a donation towards the restoration,” Fritze explained. “We agreed that providing $150 for the purchase of a flag, solar light, and the remaining funds toward the flagpole, honored our mission of patriotism and historical preservation. Our chapter hopes to apply for a DAR Historic Preservation Grant, which opens August 1, to provide more funds to this local project of historical preservation.”

Heckber is the President of the Historic Old Ossian Cemetery Restoration Committee. The cemetery dates back to 1847, one year after the town was founded. According to Fritz, the committee intends to have the flag-raising and dedication ceremonies on Memorial Day in 2024.

Anyone with an interest in donating to the Old Ossian Cemetery Restoration project is able to do so through the Wells County Foundation website.

sydney@news-banner.com