I usually write an article about cemeteries in May because so many people visit them for Memorial Day.
Again this year, Iowa’s governor has proclaimed May 2009 as Cemetery Appreciation Month in Iowa. The proclamation states so well the importance of cemeteries in our society. In part it says:
“Whereas, Iowans are aware of the need to preserve the rich heritage contained in Iowa’s pioneer historical cemeteries; and
“Whereas, this appreciation of their ancestors’ resting places develops a sense of pride in their ancestors’ accomplishments and in their communities; and
“Whereas, pride and respect for our pioneers leads to an interest in and concern for the future. It is with this thought in mind that we dedicate this month to the care of our pioneer cemeteries:
“Now, therefore, I, Chester J. Culver, governor of the State of Iowa, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2009 as cemetery appreciation month in Iowa.”
Even though the proclamation talks about pioneer cemeteries, the ideas are appropriate for all cemeteries.
There are 19 pioneer cemeteries in Jasper County. In the Newton area, they are the Jasper County Burying Ground, Bridges, Pleasant Chapel and German Society Methodist.
In the Kellogg area, they are Adamson Grove, Antle, Pleasant View, Rushville and West Westfield.
In the southern part of the county, the pioneer cemeteries are Ritter-Worth, Seay, Campbell and Dearinger.
West of Newton, the pioneer cemeteries are, from north to south, Raridon, Fisher, Slaughter, Greenlief/Mound Prairie, Prairie Belle and Rinehart.
For a listing, photographs and directions to all Jasper County Cemeteries, use the Web site at http://iagenweb.org/jasper/cemeteries/.
Pioneer cemetery definition — up until this year, a Pioneer Cemetery was any cemetery that had six (6) or fewer burials in the past 50 years. This year the state legislature changed the law to 12 of fewer burials in the past 50 years. This change will increase the number of cemeteries in Jasper County that fall in to the Pioneer category.
Cemetery ownership and maintenance
cemeteries are owned by various entities.
In Jasper County, 40 of the 67 cemeteries are owned and cared for by Townships, 10 are owned by Cemetery Associations, nine are owned by religious associations, six are owned by cities, one is privately owned and one is owned by the county.