Volunteers work to continue Ossian cemetery preservation
By SYDNEY KENT
A small cemetery in Ossian continues the pursuit of preserving history despite a century of neglect.
Abandoned and dilapidated, the old Ossian Cemetery has not been the final resting place for any souls since 1916. In fact, the property was barely recognizable as a cemetery.
That changed in February of last year when Larry and Dave Heckber approached the Jefferson Township Advisory Board with two goals — clean up the cemetery and locate their great-grandmother’s grave.
During this meeting, Heckber acknowledged the project could take 3-4 years and would require significant volunteer involvement. Jerri Lehman, a rural Ossian resident who partnered with Heckber and many others for the project, recommended making the site a historical landmark. Their initial two goals, along with Lehman’s recommendation, have been accomplished.
Their work continues.
Last week, volunteers were determined to leave no stone unturned as they laid the foundation for what will one day hold three monuments in the cemetery. The foundation consists of the broken or unclaimed pieces of tombstones and foot stones located during the restoration process.
Of the three, the center monument will display the name of the cemetery. It will also acknowledge it as a historical landmark. The second monument will display the names of the 14 Civil War veterans buried on the property. The third and final monument will display information about those buried there, as well as those recorded to be buried there whose graves were not located.
“I still believe those names should be honored,” Heckber said in reference to the unfound graves of people believed to be buried at the cemetery. “It would be a disservice to them not to include them. Families can still come and visit them here.”
Heckber is working to locate as many birth and death dates as possible before ordering the monuments. He also intends to have a flag raising ceremony on Memorial Day next year. The Captain Williams Wells Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution donated the funds for the flag earlier this year. Heckber said the project would not be possible without the support from the community.
Support has come in the form of monetary donations, countless hours of hard labor, donations of time and materials, and even a volunteer day from the Boy Scouts of America. The Heckber family is largely responsible for coordinating these efforts and contributing their time and talents.
“Every time we needed something, something came forth,” Heckber said. “I hope this inspires other trustees as well. By Indiana code, it is the trustees responsibility to repair the tombstones and maintain these properties.”
Heckber explained that a unique piece of Ossian history, not connected to the cemetery, will find a new home in front of the flag. A concrete sign from World War I, which was once installed near a drinking fountain at the former Ossian bank, will be placed in front of the flag pole.
The pole will reside just outside of the foundation. Heckber hopes to have a public event next year as they raise the flag and mark the project complete.
The tombstones that were restored have continued to whiten over the last several months, which allows for names and inscriptions to be more easily legible. A beautiful repurposed wrought-iron fence now surrounds a collection of graves identified as the Davis family, located adjacent to the foundation.
The News Banner will continue to follow this project for final updates. Anyone with a family member or friend in the graveyard with more information about them is encouraged to contact the email below.
sydney@news-banner.com
