Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society

CONNEAUT LAKE – A new monument was dedicated and the Barber Cemetery was rededicated to the memory of all those who are buried there at a special ceremony recently at the cemetery, located just off First Street in Conneaut Lake.

George Rutherford, president of the Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society, welcomed guests and introduced speakers.

Hale Jenkins presented a brief history of the cemetery, which was founded 175 years ago, as well as history of some of the people who have worked on the cemetery over the years. They included Darrel Mealy, who did it as an Eagle Scout project in the 1980s; and the Billie Paris family.

The society took over as caretaker of the cemetery in 2002 and has cleared the brush and mowed the grass. Lee Dennis was first chairman of the Barber Cemetery Committee and in charge of selling candy bars to pay for the upkeep and other expenses associated with the cemetery. Lee and his wife, Wilma, were in attendance and recognized.

Nancy Coleman now is committee chairman. She and her committee have planted flowers in several areas of the cemetery – from the access route into the interior. A new white picket fence was erected this year along the entrance leading up to the cemetery itself. Assisting Coleman with the fence and flowers were her son, Keith; husband, Harold; as well as society members Bev Litwiler, Bill Foust, Hale Jenkins, Chuck Groger and Dave Lynch.

Some of the lumber for the fence was donated by Byler Hemlock Lumber of Atlantic.

Additional work this year included the beginning phase of repairing tombstones and putting them back in place as well as general clean-up of the cemetery. To date, 12 of the stones have been repaired and/or put back into place. Epoxy for this work – as well as training on how to do it – was donated by Sunset Memorials of the Cochranton area.

The society purchased the monument, but Sunset also donated the engraving work as well as putting the monument in place. Names of all those buried in the cemetery is engraved on the monument and the names of the veterans of the War of 1812 buried there are highlighted.

A walking trail around the perimeter of the cemetery was constructed last year by Andrew Youngs of Meadville as a senior project.

Also cleaning in the cemetery and some of the tombstones this year were Linda Douglas and her granddaughters, Morgan and Marin; Chuck Groger and his grandsons, Alex and Zach; as well as Jean Beauchat, Glendora Adsit, Jean Shanley and Jane Smith.

Repairing the stones and erecting them were: Bill Foust, Hale Jenkins, Chuck Groger and Dave Lynch.

Following Jenkins’ presentation, the Rev. Jay Sterling, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church of Conneaut Lake, gave a dedicatory prayer.

Light refreshments were served.

Work now will continue on repairing the remaining tombstones and placing those which have been found lying on the ground back in an upright position.

Sadsbury Township is the official owner of the cemetary and has given the society $500 this year to help pay for some of the upkeep.

Society officials noted the cooperation of not only donations for the project, but the community support in selling and purchasing the candy bars, which allows the society to do the upkeep of the cemetery. Although nobody has been buried in the cemetery since the early 1900s, it is still a vital part of the area’s history and one that should be preserved for the future.