The Cemetery & Research Association of LaPorte County held its bi-monthly meeting recently at the home of President Deanna West. With the motto of “We remember, search and document, so they are not forgotten,” members research the numerous LaPorte County cemeteries, many dating to the beginning of the county, and attempt to document all county cemeteries, including abandoned and unmarked and the burials therein. This information — including family histories, when known — is then placed on the association website http//www.dunelady.com/laporte/cemeteries by webmaster West.
Joan Scroggins of the LaPorte Latter Day Saints Church attended the meeting and updated members on the progress of reading the tombstone inscriptions in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery that is being done by a group from her church. They expect the readings to be completed soon. Ruth Allison also attended and is seeking information on the Norton and Hand families of LaPorte County.
West reported that Cindy Hester is taking photos of tombstones in Oak Grove Cemetery, Wills Township; Salem Chapel Cemetery in Pleasant Township; and Greenwood Cemetery in Michigan City. Gloria Arndt is researching information on Rolling Prairie Cemetery for publication and Shirley Mounce is researching the obituaries for those interred in Kingsbury Cemetery.
The association continues to research abandoned cemeteries and asks that anyone who has information as to who might have been buried in Learn and Allen Toney cemeteries in Pleasant Township, contact Patricia Harris at 219-872-3273.
The association still has copies for sale of Union Mills Cemetery, compiled by Deanna Branson West and Robert Ponda Sr., photographer. The 208-page book can be purchased for $45 plus $5 shipping and handling from Deanna West, 8074 W. 200 North, Michigan City, IN 46360.
The next meeting of the Cemetery & Research Association of LaPorte County will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, 2013, at 8074 W. 200 North. Anyone interested in becoming a member of this research group is invited to contact us.