Community Volunteers Tackle Storm Cleanup at Chesterton Cemetery

Chesterton Cemetery, a site with historic significance dating back to 1838, recently faced extensive storm damage when a derecho hit the area on August 11. Volunteers from the community, including members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), have been gathering to help clean up the debris.

Cheryl Bachman, the Cemetery Manager, expressed her deep gratitude for the volunteers’ efforts, stating their contributions are invaluable. Her sentiment underscores the significance of the community’s support during this challenging time.

On September 10, the William Henry Harrison Chapter of the DAR took part in a major cleanup effort at the cemetery. The group engaged in various tasks such as raking leaves and removing tree branches. Sherry Taylor, the chapter’s regent, described their work as fulfilling and emphasized the importance of preserving the cemetery’s historic sections.

One of the larger challenges involved addressing a massive fallen maple tree. Mike Taylor, Sherry’s husband, used a chainsaw to carefully dismantle the tree that threatened to damage several gravestones. His actions prevented further harm to the markers, demonstrating the meticulous care taken during the cleanup.

Diane Schweitzer, another dedicated volunteer, shared her personal connection to the cemetery, mentioning her family members buried there. Her participation illustrated the meaningful impact of local ties in motivating volunteer efforts.

The DAR volunteers, known for dedicating time to cemetery restoration, expressed their desire to focus on cleaning tombstones, as historic preservation is one of their core missions. Though Cheryl Bachman suggested this task could wait due to the immediate need to clear tree debris.

John Goodloe, a volunteer and relative of Schweitzer, plans to explore methods for marking unmarked graves, possibly using a 3-D printer. Meanwhile, efforts remain concentrated on removing debris, a task that’s already taken weeks with more work ahead.

The storm’s impact on the cemetery was immense, leaving trees toppled and blocking paths. Fortunately, no injuries occurred, as reported by Bachman, who recounted her experience during the storm. Community members, like volunteers and Bachman, feel thankful for their safety amid the destruction.

The cleanup has taken considerable time, with volunteers tirelessly working to restore the cemetery. Sherry Taylor estimated several more weeks of work still remain. The fallen leaves have also brought an increase in mosquitoes and insects, adding challenges to the ongoing task.